The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

GOVERNMENT is expected to move a resolution in the House of Assembly today seeking approval for the conveyance of 1.2 acres of land in Fox Hill to be developed for sale as serviced lots.

A statement from the government on the matter said: “The focus of the Department of Housing is on installing the necessary infrastructure on land to be developed and sold at cost to first time homeowners in New Providence and the Family Islands, rather than selling already constructed homes.”

According to Environment and Housing Minister Romauld Ferreira, work on the property began in 2014 and included “the initial clearing of the property for the surveying of the proposed site and design of a small subdivision.”

“The subdivision will comprise ten serviced lots that will be sold to young Bahamians and will be called the Lionel Davis Subdivision,” he said. Mr Davis was the MP for Fox Hill from 1968 to 1977.

The Access to Affordable Homes Act, passed last year, allowed owners of serviced lots to apply to the minister of finance for exemption from custom duties and excise tax on materials needed to construct a single-family dwelling home.

Owners must find their own contractor and architect or use pre-existing housing plans offered by the government.

According to a government statement, serviced lots in Sunset Close were sold for under $20,000 to police officers, defence force officers, customs officers and teachers. The lots in Lionel Davis Subdivision are expected to be sold for a similar price.

The Department of Housing has also identified land for subdivision development in Abaco, Andros, San Salvador and Carmichael Village Subdivision in New Providence.