Second phase of social housing project Under the Hill officially completed on Saba
Today, State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen (Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation) officially opened the social housing project Under the Hill-2 on Saba. This project consists of three buildings with 18 homes of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms.
State Secretary Van Huffelen on Under the Hill-2:
"This project shows that it is possible to build affordable social housing on Saba. With commitment and perseverance, we have succeeded in transforming a very steep hill into a new home for people who are in desperate need of affordable housing. Under the Hill-2 offers perspective for residents of Saba. It shows how much a collaboration between enthusiastic parties can yield. A great result in a beautiful location!”
Collaboration in the construction sector
The 18 social rental homes were built on behalf of the Public Entity Saba (OLS) and the Dutch housing corporation Bazalt Wonen. Thanks to an EU subsidy, the road and the retaining wall near the houses have been realized. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations supported the completion of the houses financially. The Public Entity of Saba provided 18,000 m2 of government land for the construction.
50 extra social housing units
In total, the Under the Hill project now consists of 38 homes: 20 homes were built in phase 1 and 18 homes have now been completed in phase 2. The total number of 38 homes will be supplemented in the future by another 50 affordable homes. This has been agreed upon in a Letter of Intent between State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen, the Executive Council, Bazalt Wonen and Own Your Own Home Foundation (OYOHF).
Policy agenda for the Caribbean Netherlands
Scarcity, increased prices and population growth mean that securing an affordable rental home or own home has become increasingly difficult for many people in the Caribbean Netherlands. Together with the islands, a policy agenda has therefore been drawn up to make affordable housing possible for more people. This agenda also protects the living environment on the islands. It was published on January 22nd, 2023. Read more about the policy agenda on VolkshuisvestingNederland.nl.
Linked topic: https://www.volkshuisvestingnederland.nl/onderwerpen/beleidsagenda-caribisch-nederland
See also: https://www.volkshuisvestingnederland.nl/onderwerpen/beleidsagenda-caribisch-nederland/nieuws/2024/01/15/basis-gelegd-voor-meer-betaalbare-woningen-in-caribisch-nederland (voortgangsrapportage)