By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AFTER eviction notices were posted in a North Andros shanty town, several Haitian residents have been left homeless, sleeping in cars or wrapping themselves in plastic for warmth, according to Bishop Celiner St Louis of Gospel Assembly.

Bishop Louis said yesterday he has been in contact with a pastor from the Haitian community on the island. He claimed most of the residents hold work permits or other documents, though some are undocumented.

The group fled after authorities marked homes for demolition.

“They have no money to rent house,” Bishop Louis said. “They don’t have no house, so they live on the street.”

He said because of their financial struggles, he has urged them to return to Haiti. He plans to travel to the island on Friday to assist those in need.

About 20 people reportedly fled last week after the Ministry of Works issued 28-day eviction notices as part of the government’s crackdown on illegal settlements. The notices were posted on 80 homes in an area known locally as Heastie Farms by the Unregulated Community in Action Taskforce. Social Services engaged with one Bahamian resident during the exercise, but most people were not at home.

Superintendent Stephen Carey, head of the taskforce, said three undocumented migrants were arrested while trying to escape. He estimated about 20 people fled in total, most of whom got away.

The rise of shanty towns has angered many Androsians, who say the communities create health hazards because of the lack of running water, electricity, toilets and sanitation.

North Andros resident James Storr described the situation as an “immigration crisis”, blaming Bahamian employers for hiring migrants without legal status.

“They are knocking the Bahamians out of work in North Andros, that’s what’s going on,” Mr Storr said.

Others have urged more compassion. Prophet Godfrey Rolle said most Haitians are documented workers and employers should ensure proper housing. He noted that limited rental options make it difficult to accommodate both foreign labour and Bahamians.

“The amount of little children and old people in that village. They are not dogs,” Prophet Rolle said. “They are human beings, and we need to handle them with a little more care.”

He added that Haitian workers are vital to the island’s farming industry and said housing assistance should be offered to all displaced residents, documented or not.

Another resident, who declined to be named, said this was the second round of eviction notices in the area and accused Mail Boat operators of enabling illegal migration by allowing undocumented passengers to travel to North Andros.

Shanty towns have been a long-standing concern in Andros. In February 2020, under the Minnis administration, eviction notices were served on residents of illegal structures on government land. Officials at the time estimated some 1,800 people lived in two such communities. The government also investigated whether groundwater contamination by E. coli was linked to the settlements.