The recent signing of a memo of understanding between government and St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) brings the realisation of new social homes at Hope Estate a step closer. None too soon, as lack of decent affordable accommodations has become one of the country’s most pressing problems.
With this commitment, means reserved for such from the Dutch-sponsored Trust Fund administered by the World Bank can now be accessed. The fund also covered repair and/or renovation of a number of damaged public housing units at Belvedere executed under the authority of the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB).
It’s an important feat because originally there were no plans to use these post-Hurricane Irma millions provided by the Netherlands to invest in new homes, but ultimately the obvious need prevailed. The fund’s Steering Committee, the Jacobs II Cabinet, SMHDF, officials at the Dutch Ministry of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations and all others involved deserve credit for making this possible.
The same can be said for The Hague agreeing to help construct a new prison, which former State Secretary Raymond Knops had suggested would not look good. His successor Alexandra van Huffelen saw things a bit differently and agreed to contribute towards an improved detention system, also under international pressure regarding human rights violations at the penitentiary in Pointe Blanche.
Some would call that inconsistent, but it can also be seen as having the maturity, vision and common sense to adjust policy according to the situation on the ground. In both cases, this will likely prove money well-spent.
