Dear Editor,

THE public overwhelmingly believes that the current government has performed better in addressing the demand for, and providing public housing than the predecessor administration when comparing their first year in office. Respondents in the latest poll laud the President, the government, and the Housing Ministry for their performance thus far in housing, as well as in several other areas. This is the view, according to the latest opinion survey poll I conducted for NACTA last month. The poll finds strong support for the government in investing in public housing.

A similar poll conducted in November 2020 revealed that the public felt that the present government showed greater commitment to public housing in its first three months in office, than the previous g ‘Coalition’ government during the corresponding period, with respondents expressing greater faith and confidence in the PPP/C delivering on its promises. The public had high expectation in this government to deliver on housing demand and commitment. Also, polls conducted in January, March, July, and August 2021 showed that people overwhelmingly believe that the present administration (and by extension Ministers Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues) has performed better than its predecessor on public housing when compared against the the same period of time in office.

Since during the ‘Coalition’ administration that ended on August 1, 2020, there has been a backlog in house lot allocation. The public feels that the government has responded well to the backlog, saying Ministers Croal and Rodrigues performed far more credibly than Annette Ferguson and other ‘Coalition’ ministers who were in charge of housing. The present ministers were described as being far more active and engaged with the public, and seen more on the ground than their predecessors. They have also delivered more house lots than their predecessors. Even amidst the adverse impact of the coronavirus, the public feels the PPP/C administration has performed better than its predecessor.

The general feeling among poll respondents is that the present administration has delivered a lot more house lots in a year than what the preceding ‘Coalition’ distributed. Published data reveals that the ‘Coalition’ distributed some 7300 lots and built 500 homes. The PPP/C administration thru August 2021 in its first year distributed some 7500 lots, and is building some 800 houses that would be ready by year end; some ‘turnkey’ houses were recently distributed. The government is building ‘turnkey’ houses in several communities, including in opposition strongholds.

In polls conducted during the Coalition’s tenure in office, as well as polls conducted since August 2020, supporters of the PPP/C complained that under the ‘Coalition’ government, housing (lots and turnkey) was given almost exclusively to its supporters. The present administration and the ministry have led an unprecedented campaign for public housing, with fair distribution to all, regardless of political affiliation and racial background. Under its raffle system, everyone has an equal opportunity to gain access to a government home or house lot.

There is a housing shortage in the nation, particularly on the coastland. The strong demand for housing has resulted in housing as well as rental prices going up. Comfortable and safe housing has been in great demand. Affordable housing is important for people’s security and well-being. And people are interested in home ownership. Insufficient income caused by the pandemic has forced people to make sacrifices in other areas of life in order to acquire a home. In the surveys, the public considers housing a serious issue. Many complain that they can’t afford rent or mortgage in light of the pandemic that has led to widespread unemployment and loss of income since last year March. Prior to that, over 15,000 lost their jobs during the ‘Coalition’ administration. Thus, affordability of homes or rentals has been a problem in communities all over the country, stirring government into action to prepare land and infrastructure for housing to make it affordable for all.

Overall, the vast majority of the public approves of the performance of the Housing Ministry, its CEO Mr. Sherwyn Greaves, and the two responsible ministers. They note that the ministers, the CEO, and the ministry’s staff are far more active than their predecessors. Most of the public is also of the view that the last government failed to meet expectation, whereas this government is attempting to fulfill its Manifesto commitment to provide affordable housing.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram