Housing expo contractors warned to keep prices in line with agreed income brackets

The Ministry of Communities’ Department of Housing yesterday cautioned the 14 private contractors participating in the Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond Exhibition to ensure that the prices they quote to the public for housing units fall within the income brackets for which they agreed to build.

Sunday Stabroek was told that the Department issued the warning following repeated complaints by members of the public about the high prices for some of the houses. Complaints were received on Friday and continued to pour in yesterday.

A press release issued by the Department last evening said that the agency signed contracts with the private contractors to build housing units within three income categories: Low, Moderate and Middle Income.

According to the information provided, the low income houses are 600 square feet, the moderate income 900 to 1400 square feet and the middle income 1,000 to 1,400 square feet.

“The Central Housing and Planning Authority is advising contractors that the prices of houses on display must be consistent with the categories…,” the release said.

On Friday, this newspaper had observed that flat houses on display were being sold for as much as      $27 million.

Patrons had also reported that different prices were being quoted to different persons for the same house.

In addition to the private contractors, the ministry also has four model of houses in both concrete and wood on display. A number of service providers including the banks are also on location to provide information to potential home owners. The exhibition will end tomorrow.