Government providing 300 more pre-fab houses for displaced persons

A contract signed between the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and the Trinidad-based Steel Framed Engineering Solutions Ltd, is expected to boost the post Hurricane-Beryl housing recovery initiative.

The contract to bring the 300 pre-fabricated homes to SVG was signed at Cabinet room on Tuesday, April, 22, 2025, by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and representative from Steel Framed Engineering Solutions Ltd Jesse Scott. Minister of Housing, Orando Brewster and several other government officials were also present.

Explaining the initiative, aimed at supporting the government’s ambitious plan to construct 1000 homes in 2025, Minister Brewster said it will see the erection of 200 two-bedroom houses, and 100 three-bedroom homes which will be given to persons who have been displaced by natural disasters throughout SVG.

The 300 homes add to the more than 3500 already completed in response to housing needs caused by disasters, such as the volcanic eruptions, Hurricane Beryl, and other socio-economic challenges.

Speaking about the initiative on Wednesday during NBC Radio’s Morning Cup programme, Prime Minister Gonsalves said the homes will provide shelter for the poor, displaced, and those harmed by climate change.

He said the government is not just building houses, but rebuilding lives, and the prefabricated homes already set down by the government in Orange Hill, proved to be resilient during the passage of the hurricane on July 1, 2024, and they can be erected quickly and efficiently.

The Prime Minister however noted that critical infrastructure such as foundations, plumbing, drainage, and road access will be provided by the government and urged patience and reasonableness to those who are waiting to receive a government provided house.

He said that while the government has made significant progress, the scarce resources are being carefully used, with priority being given to the most vulnerable cases.

The Prime Minister also asked that people who can help themselves should, and that persons who have not yet received help, to not stay quiet but report issues to the authorities.

The most recent contract will see the government paying 60% of the cost of the first 50 homes upfront, and that will initiate the shipment and on-site training by Steel Framed Engineering Solutions Ltd.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister once again highlighted the issue of the shortage of skilled labour, and called for qualified contractors and tradespeople to step forward.

“This is no ordinary effort. No government in the world has taken on what we are doing in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Prime Minister Gonsalves stressed.