ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius - The Statia Government, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and the Statia Housing Foundation (SHF) have signed an agreement to continue the Housing Allowance pilot programme through 2029.
The programme provides financial assistance to lower-income households renting privately on the island who are unable to access social housing. According to the parties involved, up to 100 households are expected to benefit during the first phase of the renewed programme.
The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations will continue financing the initiative, while SHF remains responsible for the daily execution and administration. The Statia Government will continue overseeing policy coordination and monitoring.
In a public statement, SHF Managing Director Jacquil Pandt said an earlier pilot programme assisted approximately 44 families who otherwise may have required social housing support. He also noted that nearly 150 families are currently listed on what the foundation describes as an “urgency list” for housing assistance.
Pandt stated that the continuation of the programme should allow additional families to receive support in the coming years, while evaluations will also be conducted periodically to monitor the programme’s effectiveness.
Broader housing priorities
The agreement additionally includes cooperation on broader housing priorities, including revisions to the Housing Valuation System and further development of social housing on St. Eustatius.
