St. Kitts and Nevis hands over 10 new homes to Constituency 4 families

St. Kitts and Nevis: Around 10 houses have been handed over to the beneficiaries in the constituency 4 of St. Kitts and Nevis. Agriculture Minister Samal Duggins described it as another step in providing families with greater security, dignity and opportunity.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony in Half Way Tree, Duggins said the significance of the occasion extended beyond the number of homes being delivered, stressing that each key represented a different family story, journey, struggle and dream.

“Today, we are handing over here 10., That means 10 families tonight will be turning keys knowing that this is ours,” Duggins said.

He described the beneficiaries as a cross-section of Constituency Number 4, including men and women, young people, more mature citizens and single mothers. According to Duggins, while the circumstances of the families differed, they shared the experience of receiving a place they could call their own.

“That is why housing can never simply be about concrete and steel. Housing is ultimately about our people. It is about dignity. It is about security. It's about family. And above all, it's about possibility,” he said.

Duggins also outlined the wider housing activity in the constituency. He said nine other families had already received keys to new homes over the previous four years, while approximately eight additional families were being processed to begin construction on lands they already own.

He said this brought the number of homes delivered or advancing towards construction to approximately 27 in less than five years.

The Minister also highlighted the role of local workers in constructing the homes, noting the involvement of contractors, carpenters, painters, tilers, electricians, plumbers and labourers from the constituency.

“Constituency 4 building Constituency 4. Built by us, for us,” Duggins said, adding that the homes carried “the fingerprints of this entire constituency.”

A further element of the initiative came through the Ministry of Agriculture’s SAFE programme, under which each new homeowner will receive a fruit tree. Duggins said the initiative symbolised the families putting down roots, while the trees could provide food and shade and grow alongside the families.

In addition, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Human Settlement, Dr Geoffrey Hanley, said the 10 keys represented more than home ownership, describing a home as an asset that could be improved, grow in value and potentially be passed from one generation to another.

“That is empowerment,” Hanley said, adding that the government's role was to create opportunities that allow people to become more secure, independent and better positioned to build something for themselves and their families.

Hanley also thanked the National Housing Corporation, Ministry of Housing and Human Settlement, construction workers, engineers, technical teams, utility agencies and others involved in the project. He highlighted the Ministry of Agriculture’s initiative to provide one plant to each home as part of the country’s food security vision.

The new homeowners were identified as Keishawn Jones, CJ Marshall, Wendy Harvey, Nikisha Fraser, Antoinette Ford and Jean Marsham, Marcia Williams, Deslin Edmeade, Jeremy Wigley, Yasha Challenger and Leandi Caines.

Speaking on behalf of the first-time homeowners, Antoinette Ford thanked Duggins for the plant initiative, describing it as a symbol of putting down roots in their new homes and communities. She said the homes represented years of hard work, sacrifice and prayers.

Nikisha Fraser, another beneficiary, spoke about her desire to provide stability and security for her son Kamali. She said receiving confirmation that she had been selected for an NHC home came while she was looking for a house to rent, describing the opportunity as a foundation for herself and her son.

The ceremony concluded with beneficiaries receiving their keys and messages of encouragement to protect, maintain and take pride in their new homes.