By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

HOUSING and Urban Renewal Minister Keith Bell has insisted that The Bahamas does face a housing crisis - rejecting suggestions from Fidelity Bank CEO Gowon Bowe that the problem stems from poor use of existing homes rather than a shortage of supply.

Mr Bell, speaking outside the House of Assembly, said Mr Bowe’s comments, based on Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI) data showing more than 25,000 vacant residential units nationwide, were a “generalisation” that overlooked key factors.

“I think that it didn’t take into account the Airbnbs to rentals being rented, and so, the reality is, we do have a housing crisis,” he said. “We have an increased population, but we have not necessarily increased our housing stock, so we seek to address that.”

The minister said his ministry is partnering with the private sector to expand available housing, noting that several subdivision projects are already underway.

“We began the Adastra Gardens Premier Estate Subdivision, we started the Vinspen Road Subdivision off St Vincent Road, and of course, our premier subdivision, which is Renaissance, we continue to build that subdivision, which is 300 plus homes,” he said.

He added that Family Islands are also being prioritised, with homes under development in Abaco and plans advancing for Andros, Eleuthera, San Salvador, Cat Island, and Grand Bahama.

“This is, of course, coming against the backdrop where the former administration built no homes during their administration,” Mr Bell said, adding that the ministry is now working with the Ministry of Works to obtain occupancy certificates for upcoming projects.

The Tribune previously reported Mr Bowe’s view that the country’s housing challenge stems not from a shortage of homes but from underused and distressed properties. Citing the BNSI data, which found 25,060 vacant homes — 17.4 percent of all dwellings — Mr Bowe argued that government policy has focused too heavily on the optics of new construction.

He said successive administrations have preferred handing over keys rather than rehabilitating and repurposing abandoned homes, which he described as a more sustainable and economically sound approach to meeting housing demand.