According to the 2022 Standing Finance Committee (SFC) report, Dr Wheatley gave the example of the East End Harbour Project and said this would be an opportunity for the government to sell condominiums on the water.

Dr Wheatley further related that the Social Security Board (SSB) should be a third-party financier in such instances and let other agencies manage the administration and risk.

The SSB has been overseeing the Joe’s Hill Manor Estate Development on behalf of the government and this has been touted as the first community to be built as a part of the SSB’s first-time homeowners initiative.

Social home should also be considered

Dr Wheatley also stated during the SFC deliberations that he would like the Ministry of Health and Social Development to consider the concept of a Social Home managed by that ministry.

Dr Wheatley’s comment came after a query by Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull about the number of homes being built in his district by the government.

According to the Deputy Premier, a single social home would be a more cost-efficient venture than building each person a home.

Dr Wheatley stated that the people with the need for social homes usually have no means of income or they are faced with severe financial hardship and maybe just looking for a place to rest.

He also stated that there is a financial cost involved when owning and maintaining a home.

In the meantime, Labour Minister Vincent Wheatley noted that there should be engagement with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour as it relates to social homes to allow the government to have an interest in the situation for cases where persons die or other circumstances and to ensure that government’s investment is being used for the intended purpose.