Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs
PHILIPSBURG--The Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI, Patrice Gumbs of the Party for Progress (PFP), has announced the completion of St. Maarten’s comprehensive Housing Policy 2025–2035, aimed at addressing the island’s ongoing housing challenges.
The announcement follows the government’s recent purchase of the full Belvedere Remainder, totalling 288,402 square meters of land.
Developed throughout 2024 and 2025 with support from the National Recovery Program Bureau, the Housing Policy outlines a long-term vision of “adequate housing for all St. Maarteners in all stages of their lives.” The final draft was submitted to the Ministry on Friday, December 5, 2025.
The new policy provides a detailed assessment of the current housing market, highlighting several key challenges. These include increased demand driven by population growth and short-term rentals, high housing costs compared to average incomes, limited developable land, and a shortage of social and affordable housing.
“This Housing Policy provides a realistic and achievable roadmap for transforming our housing market,” said Minister Gumbs. “It acknowledges our limitations as well as our opportunities and lays out concrete actions to ensure every St. Maartener can access adequate, safe, and affordable housing.”
The policy sets a target of constructing at least 1,200 new homes over the next decade. This includes 400 social housing units, with at least 40 delivered annually and a minimum of 50 percent reserved for elderly or vulnerable residents; 500 affordable housing units, with at least 50 delivered annually for households earning the median income; and 300 free-market units, with up to 30 delivered annually.
At least 70 percent of these new units will be developed through densification, property division, multi-story construction, repurposing existing buildings, and improved use of current housing stock.
Alongside the Housing Policy, the minister also announced the reactivation of St. Maarten’s Mortgage Guarantee Fund, which was first established in 2000. The Fund is designed to support first-time homebuyers who face barriers to accessing financing. During its initial period of operation, the Fund successfully assisted new homeowners without recording a single default.
A committee has been appointed to guide the Fund’s reactivation. Its members are Ronald Halman, an original Fund member and experienced mortgage financier; Christian Grannum, a financial and operational expert; and Raitza Narain, Head of VROMI’s Policy Department and project focal point. The committee convened in January 2025 and submitted a detailed work plan in August outlining the key steps required to restart the Fund.
The Minister intends to formally submit the Housing Policy to Parliament and request a presentation meeting in the first quarter of 2026 to outline the implementation strategy.
“A healthy housing market cannot be achieved by Government alone,” emphasized Minister Gumbs. “It requires coordination among residents, developers, lenders, ministries, and community partners. VROMI will act as the central link bringing these parties together to meet our shared objectives.”
The policy also calls for the establishment of an inter-ministerial working group, including representatives from the Ministries of VSA, TEATT, and Finance, among others.
More than a policy document, the Housing Policy represents a long-term commitment to improving the quality, accessibility, and affordability of housing across Sint Maarten. With clear targets, renewed financing tools such as the Mortgage Guarantee Fund, strengthened regulatory frameworks, and coordinated collaboration, the government aims to reshape the housing landscape over the coming decade.
“Every additional adequate home brings us closer to our goal,” the Minister concluded. “With this policy and the revival of the Mortgage Guarantee Fund, we are not just planning — we are building St. Maarten’s future.”
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/vromi-minister-gumbs-announces-delivery-of-national-housing-policy
