At the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) first major rally of the political season, Fort Charlotte candidate Sebas Bastian promised Bahamians over 300 new homes and a brand new subdivision, as he slammed the Free National Movement’s (FNM) housing plan to construct 5,000 homes.
Bastian also said that a PLP government will hold landlords who rent unsafe and unhealthy spaces accountable.
Speaking at the party’s Eastern District Rally at R.M. Bailey Park on Saturday night, Bastian said if re-elected the PLP would construct the new homes through partnerships with private developers.
“We are nation builders, and that is why when it comes to the prosperity of our nation, affordable housing remains top of the list for our administration,” he said.
“We have already delivered affordable homes across this country, right here in Nassau and on the Family Islands.”
He said, “We are planning 200 additional homes in the Pinecrest housing development.
“We plan to bring more homes to Spring City and Central Pines in Abaco, and coming to Fort Charlotte [is] Premier One Estates, where you will see the development of 150 new affordable homes.
“I’ll tell you this, they going to look just like them ones you see out west.”
Bastian added, “If the other party says they want to build homes, good. The Bahamian people deserve ambition, but I find it very hard to believe that someone can take you to a place that they have never been because I know a thing or two about numbers.
“They say they want to build 5,000 homes in five years.
“That’s 1,000 homes per year, that’s about 83 homes per month, which works out to 19 homes per week, and approximately three homes every single day.
“This is coming from a party that didn’t build a single home in their last term.
“My Bahamian people, we must stop electing leaders that have never built anything and then wonder why when they get elected they don’t build anything.”
Bastian urged voters to cast their ballots with the PLP if they wish to see the new housing initiatives realized.
He further stated that the party will introduce an affordable housing investment fund, which will give Bahamians an opportunity to earn “high interest returns” while “fueling the housing revolution”.
Bastian added that the government will also introduce an affordable rental program.
“We recognize that not everyone is in a position to own today, but everybody deserves a safe place to live,” Bastian said.
“We will create incentives and give concessions and partner with the private sector to develop affordable rental units and bring the rent down to what Bahamians can afford.
“We will also expand our rent-to-own program, creating more pathways to ownership, allowing families to build equity while living in their homes.”
Bastian proposed a residential tenancy authority, which will inspect, enforce and ensure compliance with laws surrounding the upkeep of rental buildings, and protect tenants.
“We will protect renters, too, by creating a residential tenancy authority with the power to inspect, enforce, and ensure compliance, so landlords who rent unsafe, unhealthy and low-standard living spaces are held accountable,” Bastian said.
“There are too many Bahamians that are paying good money for rent and living in pop down places with poor plumbing, leaking roofs, and conditions that fall below a decent standard of living.
“There will be standards, there will be inspections, there will be consequences, because dignity is not optional.
“And for families facing sudden displacement, we will be introducing temporary social housing units with a support system and a pathway to get back on your feet, because no Bahamian should ever feel like they have nowhere to go.”
