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Through the Years

Government’s housing policy was geared toward the mass
production of houses and the provision of the
necessary mortgage finance under existing
incentives. 1960 1961 Government’s housing policy emphasized Urban Re-development
and Slum Clearance. 1962 The National Housing Authority was established on August 07,
1962 by Housing Act No. 3 of 1962 (Chapter 33:01). The
Authority was created primarily to construct and distribute
single-family units in large scale housing development
projects for lower and middle income groups
in the country. 1963-1966 Focus was on the promotion of aided self-help houses and the construction of flats. Upon the acquisition of land for
development or slum clearance, it was found necessary
to construct decanting centres. 1968 The government secured TT$8.6 million from the Inter-American Development Bank to assist in the provision for single family
units for low income families. 1970 Low and middle income housing programme which was initiated in 1969 was continued with the emphasis on the construction of housing units and high density flats. 1971 The housing construction and the slum clearance programme continued as well as the re-planning of urban and sub-urban
areas. 1972 Focus was on the construction of low income houses and
high density flats to target low income persons as well
as assisting with the construction of private housing
through the provision of mortgage financing. 1973 Negotiations continued for the localization of the Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company, with a view to bringing
the financial institution under local control in three years,
resulting in the availability of substantial and sustained
increase in loanable funds. 1974 Negotiation for the localization of the Trinidad and Tobago
Mortgage Financial Company was completed and final
agreement was being prepared. 1975 The strategy adopted was to provide financial assistance to persons who wished to build their own homes, since the population had shown a reluctance to accept the standardized designs
developed for mass public housing projects. 1984 Government’s housing policy focused on the construction
of housing units and the development of serviced sites. 1989
The Government introduced the National Settlements Thrust Programme. Housing tax measures were allowed up to a
maximum of $24,000 per annum for no more than two
properties. 1990
There was the implementation of the Settlements and Squatter Regularization Programme facilitated by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the development of serviceable lots, financing of housing construction and
squatter upgrades. 1991
The Settlement Policy stressed the importance of the accessibility
of all strata of society to acceptable and affordable shelter,
with particular emphasis on the needs of the most
disadvantaged group in society. 1994
Exemptions would be allowed on personal and corporate taxes
until 2000 on all rental income accruing from residential,
industrial and commercial property constructed between
January 01, 1993 and December 31, 1994. 1995
The Government implemented an exemption from tax on rent
under Section 42 of the Income Tax Act, Chapter 75:01
beginning January 1996. 1996
The Sugar Industry Labour Welfare (SILWC) was established by
Act No. 64:05 in 1951 to control and administer the sugar
industry welfare fund. The Act was amended so that
workers employed could source loans and apply for
building lots. Tax and rent was introduced pending
a review of the rent control act. 1997
The government indicated that its focus was to provide shelter and squatter regularization and upgrades of squatter communities, development and distribution of serviced lots, core houses
and full houses; tech assist towards refurb and replace. 1998
Land Settlement Agency (LSA) was established in 1998 to foster overall enhancement and improvement of the living conditions
and welfare of persons living in designated squatter
communities. 2000 The ceiling on loans under the Approved Mortgage Company Lending Programme was increased from $300,000 to $350,000 with effect from January 01, 2001. Also, the stamp duty exemption was increased to show the new level of $350,000. 2002 The government unveiled the new national housing policy publicly on March 26, 2002. The Inter-American Development Bank (National Settlements Programme Second Stage Phase One) was established
to provide a more equitable, transparent and sustainable
system of affordable housing. It was agreed that the
mortgage finance through TTMF will be granted up
to 95% of the loan at 6% interest rate. 2003 The objective of the Accelerated Housing Programme consisted of two components: (I) Infill Programme (ii) Joint Venture
Programme. 2004 The National Housing Authority Vesting Act was passed to address the issues of residents on its housing estates not in receipt of proper titles. HIG programme was launched to assist pensioners and the less fortunate with repairs to their homes. The Rent-to-Own Programme afforded beneficiaries the opportunity to move from rental to mortgage arrangements over a 3-to-5-year period. Helping Young People Earn (HYPE) training programme introduced to supplement construction skills in the Ministry’s housing programmes. 2005 The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) was created by Act
No. 24 of 2005 to replace the former National Housing Authority
(NHA) and expand its mandate. The Urban Renewal Programme (URP) was involved in the reconstruction of dilapidated government housing units and addressed problems in the urban centers by providing improved services and infrastructure with 10% of all contracts being given to small contractors. 2006 Over a 4-year period from 2002, Mortgage Interest Rates were reduced from 12% to 8% to 6%; there was also a reduction of mortgage downpayments from 10% to 5% 2007 Reduction of Mortgage Interest Rates from 6% to 2% and Reduction of Mortgage Down payment from 5% to 0% for persons with a monthly income $8000 or less. Also, an additional benefit of
a loan of $15,000 for major appliances if required. 2008 The Allocation Policy was amended to include the introduction of a weighting system to give long time waiting applicants, those with
dependents and those with disabilities greater opportunity of
being selected through the random draw process; the
distribution ratio of persons considered for allocation
was also changed to 60% national pool, 25% for
special cases; 10% for the Joint Protective
Services and 5% for senior citizens and
persons with disabilities. 2009 The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit in the Ministry of Finance was established on Aug 13, 2009 by Cabinet Minute No 2178;
the Unit, with technical assistance from the IDB, was set up
to focus on fostering good governance by strengthening
execution and delivery capacity for PPP development. 2010 The Ministry of Housing and the Environment won a CAPAM award for its category submission, “Innovative Use of Technology in the Public Service”. The CAPAM Awards promote the exchange of innovation, knowledge and practice in citizen-centered service
delivery and public service management. 2011 Cabinet Minute No. 3112 of November 2011, established a Multidisciplinary Committee to Spearhead and Oversee the Development of a National Building Code for Trinidad and
Tobago.
The Government partnered with the IDB and other agencies to develop suitable strategies and actions to implement the Climate Change Policy. The aim is to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions from all emitting sectors; enhance carbon sinks through carbon sequestration; and boost agricultural production and food security.
 2012 TTMF’s mortgage interest rate was reduced by 1% effective Oct 01, 2012 (with certain conditions being applied). Launch of the IDB
funded Neighbourhood Upgrading Programme; GoRTT strategically embarked upon a policy of State Land distribution to allocate 500 lots and ten thousand (10,000) lots of a 3-year programme. The Property and Real Estate Services Division launched the GoRTT Office Outfitting Policy.
In early 2012, A committee was established to develop an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Policy
Framework, Strategy, and Action
Plan for Trinidad
and Tobago.
 2013 The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was created and replaced the Ministry of Housing, Land and Marine Affairs.
The Land Settlement Agency (LSA), introduced the
Construction Skills Development Fairs (CSDFs) targeting
small scale contractors and individuals who were
interested in being trained in various aspects of
construction.
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with The National Training Agency (NTA) to facilitate training and certification of the Caribbean Vocational
Qualification (CVQ) for the Contractor workers.

Government amended the approved monthly income ceiling of applicants from $25,000 to $45,000; 2015 TTMF and SILWC signed a MoU to offer ex-workers of Caroni (1975) Ltd the opportunity to access the 2% mortgage interest rate for the purpose of purchasing land, assigned to them under the VSEP
package arrangements, as well for the purpose of constructing a dwelling house on said lot of land;
Installation of the first Board of Management for the Eastside Plaza and New City Mall under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. 2016 The HDC initiated its first Public-Private Partnership housing project with mortgages via TTMF.
The introduction of regulations governing the provision of income tax relief for developers of newly
constructed affordable multi-family developments. Additionally, there is a 50% tax
relief and other fiscal incentives geared towards private investors willing to contribute capital,
land and other resources for the construction of public housing.

 2017 Cabinet approved the revisions to the Affordable Housing Programme Mortgage Financing by increasing the income bands from $10,000.00 to $14,000.00 for the 2% loan facility and from $14,001.00 to a maximum of $30,000 for the 5% facility; while the value of the properties being acquired will now be at $1M (2%) and $1.5M (5%) respectively.

Launch of the Government’s Aided Self-Help Housing Programme on November 10, 2017. This programme targets person with and without land and offers both financial and technical assistance.

In the first phase of the programme, 1000 serviceable lots were made available to applicants at thirty percent (30%) of the market value. Successful applicants will also be able to access Trinidad & Tobago Mortgage Finance Company’s 2% and 5% mortgage facilities. Additionally, the applicants will have access to preapproved house plans, registered contractors and technical assistance and oversight throughout the construction period.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Development reconvened the Joint Protective Services Housing Committee after it was dormant for the past 6 years. The goal of this Committee is to coordinate the efforts of the eligible members of the protective service and defence force.

The Government announced that it intends to return the HDC to its original moorings by providing affordable housing for low to lower middle income families with an emphasis on rental accommodations. 2018 Launch of the Housing Construction Incentive Programme (HCIP) in March, 2018. The programme intends to stimulate private investment for the construction of public housing.

Launch of the Ministry’s Public Awareness Campaign, “Hello Neighbour”. The campaign is aimed at educating and empowering citizens so that they can make more informed and confident decisions regarding their shelter needs. 2019 First Homes Distributed under the Housing and Village Improvement Programme, thirty (30) families received keys to their new homes at a key distribution ceremony at Samuel Cooper Village, Moruga. Under this new award-winning programme, thirty (30) homes were constructed to replace dilapidated structures, while repairs were also undertaken on an additional ten (10) homes.