By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE planned demolition of the Montgomery shanty town, previously set for tomorrow, has been delayed as officials cited unresolved logistical issues.

Building controller Craig Delancey confirmed yesterday that while the clearance remains on the agenda, a firm date has not been set.

“Logistics are being sorted out,” Mr Delancey said, noting that contractors, funding, and security arrangements must still be finalised. He stressed the process is routine and follows the model used for other recent demolitions.

Authorities are expected to conduct final checks with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to ensure residents have vacated the site before work begins.

In August, about 200 Montgomery residents were served with 28-day eviction notices. At the time, Superintendent Stephen Carey, chairman of the Unregulated Community in Action Task Force, said officials reported roughly 60 structures had been processed, though no final tally was given.

The exercise forms part of the government’s ongoing campaign to dismantle unregulated communities nationwide. Earlier this month, eviction notices were issued for 80 homes in Heastie Farms, Andros, where officials said 20 residents fled as notices were posted and three undocumented migrants were arrested.

Since November 2023, authorities have reported nearly 500 structures demolished across several islands. Successive administrations have defended the policy on health and safety grounds, citing building code violations and unregulated land use. Critics argue the approach fails to confront the country’s deepening shortage of affordable housing.

Montgomery residents previously told The Tribune they fear eviction will leave them homeless, with some unable to secure affordable rentals and others worried about the effect on their children.

Officials from the Department of Social Services have pledged assistance for those who qualify, with others to be referred to alternative support.

Mr Carey said a timeline for the demolition will be clarified later this week.