High housing costs and limited availability have made it difficult for many families to establish a stable home, make life decisions, and manage rising living expenses. To address this, the Statia Government and the Ministry of VRO signed the Letter of Intent on Housing Development on 14 June 2022, outlining plans to build more than 50 social rental homes by 2030.
During implementation, both parties identified several factors that slowed progress, including limited financing, available land, construction capacity, and local regulations. The new Action List converts these challenges into clear priorities. By focusing on these areas, the Statia Government and the Ministry of VRO aim to create better conditions for affordable housing development and ensure timely delivery of the planned projects.
The Action List builds on the agreements established in the 2022 Letter of Intent and aligns with the recommendations of the Netherlands Court of Audit, published on 21 May 2025, which called for stronger measures to resolve implementation challenges in housing projects across the Caribbean Netherlands.
By signing this Action List, Island Commissioner Reuben Merkman, responsible for housing, and the Ministry of Public Housing and Spatial Planning reaffirm their full commitment to carrying out the agreed housing projects effectively and without delay.
The Statia Government and the Ministry of VRO will monitor implementation through the new Periodic Consultation on Public Housing in the Caribbean Netherlands. This structure replaces the existing Letter of Intent Steering Committee. Relevant agreements from the Action List will be incorporated into the upcoming Public Housing Policy Agenda 2027–2030.
The Statia Government and the Ministry of VRO formally endorsed these agreements in Statia and The Netherlands on 15 October and 4 November 2025, respectively.
