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HomeNewsArchivesWHAT DOES AFFORDABLE HOUSING MEAN, SENATORS?

WHAT DOES AFFORDABLE HOUSING MEAN, SENATORS?

Dear Source,
For the past twenty years affordable housing has been a constant concern for young Virgin Islanders who have wanted return home. Many have come home, but many more end up leaving again because of the lack of affordable housing.
Before Hurricane Marilyn, the residents of PMP Gardens were using solar water heaters. Do you know since Hurricane Marilynn the solar water heaters were replaced by electric water heaters? If we are talking about improving the quality of life for all, why would Mr. Housing Senator, Celestino White, allow the residents of PMP Gardens to be forced into paying higher electric bills? For a family living on a fixed income, solar heating translates to a savings of $20 per month.
Instead the Housing Senator prides himself in rent reductions that have resulted in less/ reduced services and limited home ownership opportunities. How does that help prepare people to move from public housing to owning their homes? If residents were offered a plan to pay their rent of $600 and half went into an interest savings account, after a period of time families at some point would be able to purchase their own homes. How does lowering the rent in public housing encourage people to leave public housing? Doesn't this make living in public housing more appealing than buying a home?
If Sen. Carlton Dowe received contributions from members of Botany Bay Partners just for his vote, how much did Sen. White receive for special-ordering the vote to rezone Botany Bay from R-1 to R-3? Senator White disregarded the recommendation of the V.I. Planning and Natural Resources Department to grant Botany Bay Partners a variance; instead, he led the rezoning of Botany Bay. How come Sen. White did not use his political power to obtain a commitment from Botany Bay Partners to be a partner in building affordable homes for Virgin Islanders?
In other places in the United States and Puerto Rico where developers want to build resorts, hotels, etc., they know they must provide something to the community they are moving into. It can be a variety of things, such as: low/ middle income housing, community centers, schools, or other types of contributions. The creativity of the leaders and the community that will be affected by the development should be the ones deciding what is needed. Right now it seems that the contributions are going to "our leaders" and not to the benefit of the V.I. community.
I would like to know: What became of the $1.4 million deposited in the Housing Development fund that was to be used to subsidize the cost of constructing affordable housing? Where did the portion of annual property taxes used to replenish the fund since 199_ go?
How can things be so great when the Virgin Islands cannot provide shelter for Virgin Islanders, only more low-paying jobs?
Caroline Browne
St. Thomas
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