The Government of St. Lucia will act as guarantor for a US$20 million financing facility between the St. Lucia Development Bank (SLDB) and Taiwan Eximbank, with the agreement signed Tuesday, Aug. 25, at SLDB’s offices here. The facility is intended to expand affordable housing options for low and middle-income households as part of the government’s broader housing strategy.
The facility is also expected to improve access to long-term, appropriately priced mortgage financing, with particular focus on first-time home-buyers and demographics that have traditionally been underserved by conventional lending.
Closing the country’s housing stock deficit has been a stated priority for the government. In his 2026-2027 Budget Address, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre said his administration would continue pursuing partnerships with credible private-sector businesses to help address the shortfall.
“My administration will continue to seek private partnerships with credible private sector businesses to help reduce the housing deficit in our country,” Pierre said.
Housing has been a central focus of SLDB’s work over the past year. In 2025, the bank approved about $11.5 million in concessionary housing financing, part of a broader push to expand home ownership and support home improvements for lower and middle-income households, backed by government policy measures. Housing remains one of the most impactful areas of SLDB’s intervention.
The new $20 million line of credit from Taiwan Eximbank is expected to significantly expand the country’s housing finance capacity and help address ongoing supply constraints.
Tuesday’s ceremony, which was held at SLDB’s headquarters in Castries, formalizes the financing agreement among the three parties: the Government of St. Lucia, SLDB and Taiwan Eximbank.