Govt guarantees US$20m housing financing facility

The Government of Saint Lucia will guarantee a US$20 million financing facility between the Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB) and Taiwan Eximbank aimed at expanding affordable housing opportunities for low- and middle-income households. The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the SLDB’s headquarters in Castries and forms part of the government’s broader strategy to address the country’s housing shortage. The facility is expected to improve access to long-term mortgage financing, particularly for first-time homeowners and people traditionally underserved by conventional lending. In his 2026-2027 Budget Address, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre said his administration would continue pursuing partnerships with the private sector to help reduce the housing deficit. “My administration will continue to seek private partnerships with credible private sector businesses to help reduce the housing deficit in our country,” Pierre said. In 2025, the SLDB approved about $11.5 million in concessionary housing financing as part of efforts to expand home ownership and support home improvements for lower- and middle-income households. The new financing facility is expected to further expand the country’s housing finance capacity. (The Voice)