In a dramatic parliamentary address on Thursday, Housing Minister Andrew John revealed that Trinidad-based prefabricated housing deliveries to St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been suspended due to substantial unpaid debts inherited from the previous administration. The disclosure came during debates on the 2026 Estimates, where Minister John provided lawmakers with a comprehensive update on housing recovery efforts for victims of Hurricane Beryl’s devastation in July 2024.
Minister John characterized the housing ministry under the former Unity Labour Party (ULP) government as “one of the most corrupt institutions” in the country. He detailed how housing assessors’ contracts had lapsed without renewal last year, though some workers would soon be reinstated. The minister issued stern warnings to those involved in previous corrupt practices, suggesting they reconsider returning to their positions.
The housing crisis extends beyond political controversies, with Minister John describing heartbreaking conditions in the Southern Grenadines. During a fact-finding mission with Parliament members and state journalists, he witnessed residents still living in tents with damaged, uninhabitable structures months after Hurricane Beryl. He expressed particular distress over an area known as “Tent City,” where residents lack basic security and privacy.
Financial revelations underscored the depth of the crisis. The previous government’s much-publicized initiative to import 300 prefabricated homes resulted in only 40 units actually arriving in St. Vincent. Of these, just three have been erected, while the remainder sit idle in containers at Arnos Vale Tarmac and Orange Hill. The Trinidadian supplier has suspended further deliveries until outstanding debts exceeding US$200,000 for the initial shipment are settled.
Minister John, a retired educator, emphasized the profound social impact of adequate housing on community wellbeing, educational outcomes, and crime reduction. He pledged to transform housing from a political tool into a genuine public service, vowing to eliminate wastage and prioritize the people’s needs. The minister wholeheartedly endorsed the new government’s fiscal package, committing to transparent management of housing resources and urgent action to address the nation’s shelter crisis.