Topic: housing
Housing shortage poses ‘serious threat’ to society, report warns
Cayman must triple its rate of housing construction over the next decade just to 'tread water' with population growth, a landmark report has warned.
The...
New affordable housing blueprint on the way
A road map for an affordable and sustainable housing policy will be tabled in Parliament this year, MPs have heard.
How government can reduce housing costs
In the run-up to the election we have heard a lot about young Caymanians being locked out of the housing market. This is usually...
Government to act faster on emergency homelessness following Compass report
Government has promised to improve emergency care for homeless people following a report by the Compass about a family with two young children who ended up sleeping on the beach while suitable accommodation could be found for them.
From immigration to infrastructure: 5 key issues for the next election
Under six months out from the general election a handful of key issues, including population growth, cruise tourism and rising rents, are emerging as hot-button topics for the nascent political parties and teams.
Reformed inmates seeking reintegration stymied by halfway housing constraints
A chronic lack of housing and employment opportunities for inmates coming out of prison is contributing to a revolving door syndrome at HMP Northward.
Review needed on housing subdivisions, says environment chief
As another proposal is submitted to the Central Planning Authority for a housing subdivision in East End, Cayman’s environment director is asking members to put decision making on hold.
Task force eyes rental market regulations as prices continue to soar
A government task examining Cayman's housing shortage are considering regulating the local rental market to combat excessively high rents and the inferior quality of some properties, according to Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan.
Shipping container homes ordered to be removed
Four shipping containers fitted out as homes on an industrial estate in George Town must be removed within three months, the Central Planning Authority has ordered.
Consultant sought to ‘solve housing challenges’
The government is seeking a consultant to help create and update a national public and affordable housing policy and 10-year strategic plan.
Urgent issues need to be addressed
It has recently come to my attention that our government has finally managed to get officers from the Needs Assessment Unit to visit our...
Real estate market reaches almost US$1 billion in sales in 2022
Despite seven interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve, 2022 was the second most active year for property sales in the Cayman Islands as the average value per transaction reached a new peak.
Shipping containers a last refuge for low-income renters
The Compass tracks down the landlord of a small scale 'trailer park' in George Town, which offers makeshift accommodation to workers
Brick-by-brick, tiny home project tackles housing crisis
Volunteers will help build a new house for an elderly Caymanian who lost her home to fire in the latest development in a 'tiny home' movement that seeks to address Cayman's housing challenges.
Businesses consider building staff housing as rents spiral
Cayman’s spiralling rents are making it difficult to recruit much-needed staff for the construction and hospitality industries.
Low-interest loans to help Caymanians get on housing ladder
Caymanian families are being offered low-interest mortgage deals to buy homes or avoid foreclosures on existing properties.
Rising mortgage rates: A focus on the housing market
Rising mortgage rates in 2022 are unlikely to rein in buyers and slow down the housing market like they did in 2018.
The house that hope built: Community project brings fresh energy to housing crisis
A Caymanian couple have gone from living in a cramped converted mobile classroom to taking ownership of the island's first tiny home in a matter of months after a community wide effort led by non-profit ARK. The charity is aiming to ensure everyone in Cayman has a safe place to call home.
Hundreds of homes still damaged from Tropical Storm Grace
At least 200 homes across Grand Cayman are still in a state of disrepair following the passage of Tropical Storm Grace six months ago and government has enlisted the charitable sector to help fix them.
Renters’ rights still depend on 19th century legislation
In an effort to answer some of the most common questions around renters rights, we analysed Cayman’s existing laws and consulted lawyer Linda DaCosta, a partner at HSM Chambers, and an expert in this area.
10 ways to address Cayman’s housing problems
Over the past six weeks, the Cayman Compass Issues section has been taking an in-depth look at some of the concerns around housing in the Cayman Islands. Today we summarise some of the recommendations coming from our readers, contributors and columnists to address the concerns we have highlighted.
Jersey bans foreign home ownership. Should Cayman follow suit?
As a scenic coastal community with a thriving economy underpinned by financial services, the island of Jersey has much in common with Cayman. Despite a totally different approach to real estate regulation, the similarities extend to a major affordable housing problem.
Five ways the world handles housing issues
Many of the affordable housing concerns highlighted by the Compass in recent weeks are not unique to Cayman.
Cayman for sale? Opinion divided over open property market
Cayman's open property market means there are theoretically 8 billion potential buyers for any home that goes on sale in the territory. Opinion is divided over whether restrictions would help make housing more affordable.
How developers could help house the most vulnerable
Joint venture partnerships between developers and government could be a means to help create low-cost housing in the Cayman Islands.
EcoVillage aims to be economically sustainable
It is possible to build affordable homes in Grand Cayman without sacrificing quality of life, according to the developer behind the Orchard Ecovillage in Savannah.
Is home ownership a realistic aspiration for Gen Z?
Young people don't see a path to home ownership in Cayman writes guest columnist Aleigha General.
Downtown Reach demonstrates demand for affordable homes
The second phase of the Downtown Reach development sold out in two weeks, signifying high demand for affordable homes.
New call for housing support amid storm impact
Tropical Storm Grace has heightened the urgency for repairs on some of Cayman’s most vulnerable properties. The R3 Foundation is seeking donations to help.
House prices have increased exponentially in last 5 years
House prices in some neighbourhoods have almost tripled in the past five years, according to data reviewed by the Cayman Compass.
Home ownership a distant dream for young Caymanians
Young professionals in Cayman fear they are being priced out of the property market and may never have the chance to own a home in their own country.
CIREBA president: Lack of affordable homes is an ongoing concern
The limited number of affordable homes for sale in the Cayman Islands has been a longstanding concern in the community, according to Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association president Brian Wight.
Could tiny homes help resolve housing issues?
Purpose built ‘tiny homes’ could be part of the solution to finding shelter for families in crisis, charity Acts of Random Kindness believes.
Tiny home project built on community kindness
ARK’s first new-build project – a tiny home for the Trusty family in Frank Sound – will be a genuine product of community kindness.
Compass documentary: Spotlight on housing crisis
As part of our ongoing series on housing concerns in the Cayman Islands, the Compass has produced a mini-documentary featuring families living in difficult conditions on the margins of society.
Spotlight on Cayman’s hidden housing crisis
Out of sight and, in many cases, out of mind on the winding back streets of Grand Cayman, many families are living in crisis.
Ivan’s ghost still haunts Cayman homes
Almost two decades after the Category 4 hurricane, Ivan’s ghost still haunts homes across Cayman.
Editorial: Compass series investigates Cayman’s housing problems
Over the next six weeks, the Cayman Compass will be taking a detailed look at the complex, multi-faceted problems surrounding the most basic need of everyone who calls these islands home.
Family living in limbo amid land dispute
A complex history of land ownership may see an unemployed mother and her family forced to vacate the land that their home - a converted mobile classroom - occupies.
Families still living in condemned properties
Josepha Carter smiles broadly between deep gulps of oxygen from the ventilator that keeps her tethered to her room in the simple home in the back streets of West Bay.
Counting the cost of living in the Cayman Islands
In a comprehensive data analysis, James Whittaker and Michael Klein examine some of the highest costs of living in Cayman and assess how we measure up to the United Kingdom and the United States.
East End retirement home project on hold
The eastern districts will have to wait a while longer for a new retirement home as Premier Alden McLaughlin said on Thursday that government will not be embarking on any new capital projects.
Container home promises ‘safe harbour’ for West Bay family
Volunteers help transform a shipping container into a home for a West Bay mum and three children.
EDITORIAL – A safe, decent affordable place to call home
A good rule of thumb, used in many countries around the world, is that housing and related expenses should not exceed 30% of a household’s take-home income.
