Work on affordable homes at the Flamingo Point Housing Development in North Side has significantly slowed over the past several months.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure said construction had not stopped, however, on the National Housing Development Trust project.
“The current pace reflects thoughtful architectural design refinements aimed at improving construction efficiency, structural performance, and long-term durability,” the spokesperson said.
The ministry said these “refinements” included updated designs that have been submitted to the Building Control Unit.
“We anticipate a swift turnaround from the BCU on the updated plans, after which the project will fully resume at pace, as part of our timeline to deliver homes to families as soon as possible,” the ministry said.
“The revised building design includes airtight attic spaces insulated with open-cell spray foam, which significantly reduces humidity and inhibits mould growth. This energy-efficient solution ensures a dry, healthy interior environment.”
Currently the National Housing Development Trust has 1,148 applicants on a waiting list for affordable housing.
The ministry said the strong interest in the affordable homes “underscores the critical need for safe and affordable housing solutions across the islands”.
Citing the challenges posed by limited land availability, they said, “We are actively exploring innovative, scalable solutions, including mixed density and efficient zoning models, public-private partnerships, accelerated construction methods and design innovations rooted in successful international case studies.”
At the Flamingo Point Housing Development, the ministry said eight homes have already received certificates of occupancy and another eight are on track for certificated by 31 July.
An additional 15 homes are scheduled for completion by 30 Aug. and groundbreaking for 14 homes is expected to occur in September with completion anticipated by the end of 2025.
“These timelines demonstrate steady progress and accountability in delivering this vital public housing initiative,” the spokesperson said.
“The Ministry and NHDT are aligned in our mission to expand access to homeownership, particularly for young families and low- to middle-income Caymanians. Our vision is not only to build homes, but to build strong, equitable communities.”
In January 2024, the National Housing Development Trust introduced a series of new initiatives to support Caymanians in what was described as “today’s challenging housing market” by increasing the supply of affordable homes, expanding the home repairs programme and reintroducing a lease-to-own programme.
To help address the current housing crisis, the Cayman Islands Government also allocated $15 million to the NHDT in the 2024-2025 budget.
At the time, Andrew McBean, chairman of the board, said, “With the current shortage of affordable housing, it is imperative that the Trust innovate and adopt a more sustainable approach in the way we design and build homes, ensuring that we achieve the most efficient use of land and deliver the greatest value for money.”
In May 2024, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to launch the construction of 60 homes for the West Bay Affordable Housing Initiative Development.
Delayed reports
Then in October 2024, housing minister Johany Ebanks said in Parliament, “House-building schedules were delayed for years due to the National Housing Development Trust’s failure to file annual reports.”
At the time, the minister presented six NHDT annual reports with the oldest annual report covering 2015-16. Together, the reports spanned from 2015 to 2021.
“I recognise that there has been a significant delay in tabling these reports,” he told the House at the time.
“I have made much progress in fixing [the matter] upon taking my office and learning that these reports were outstanding.”
He added, “The NHDT was instructed to take the necessary steps to become compliant and I am pleased to report that by tabling these reports, the trust is on its way towards full compliance.”
Ebanks added that house building suffered during the years when the reports were outstanding.
“I know there was a time in National Housing where … we slowed down on building the homes, but this is the reason why, because we had to go back and clean up all of these reports that were left behind that was not done over the previous years,” he said.
The most recent report, for the year ending 31 Dec. 2021, shows the trust made a loss of $799,000 on revenues of $921,000.
After lengthy delays, in November 2024, work got started on a government project to create over 50 affordable lots on 20 acres of Crown land in East End.
The NHDT, a wholly government-owned, not-for-profit company, is responsible for administering the Government Guaranteed Home Assisted Mortgage scheme in partnership with local financial institutions. This scheme provides mortgages to middle-to-low-income people with assistance backed by a government guarantee.
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