![PM Philip Pierre alongside Taiwanese Ambassador and SLDB officials [Photo credit: GOSL]](https://thevoiceslu.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PM-Philip-Pierre-alongside-Taiwanese-Ambassador-and-SLDB-officials-2.webp)
Through the Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB), a historic loan facility of US$20 million has been secured from the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan), marking the largest negotiated funding in SLDB’s history.
This initiative features 100% financing with competitive interest rates, creating new opportunities for Saint Lucians, particularly underserved families, to achieve home ownership.
A government promotional slogan underscores this ambition: “More access. More inclusion. More opportunities to own a home.”
The recent signing of an EC$54 million Housing and Infrastructure Development Facility builds on this momentum, furthering the government’s commitment to make home ownership more achievable. This facility is an essential component of a wider strategy designed to overcome the barriers historically faced by many working Saint Lucians in obtaining their own homes.
Financing will be administered through SLDB to enhance the opportunities for low- and middle-income families to build or improve their homes, while also investing in essential housing infrastructure.
Key initiatives currently underway to lower the cost of home ownership include providing 100% mortgage financing for eligible public servants through a NIC-guaranteed SLDB facility, contributing EC$1,000 towards legal costs for successful applicants, offering stamp duty relief on qualifying residential mortgages, and eliminating VAT on selected building materials.
Alongside this, the government is increasing the supply of housing and access to residential land through developments and programs, including Rock Hall and Talvern, among other affordable housing initiatives. The government acknowledges that addressing Saint Lucia’s housing challenges requires a multifaceted approach.
This means not only constructing homes but also ensuring access to financing, serviced land, affordable construction, necessary infrastructure, and policies that alleviate the financial burdens for prospective homeowners. The new EC$54 million facility is designed to support climate-resilient infrastructure, incorporating improvements such as enhanced drainage systems, water-storage solutions, and solar photovoltaic systems.
Through targeted financing, fiscal relief, new developments, and strategic partnerships, the Government of Saint Lucia is dedicated to expanding ownership possibilities and fostering greater security for families across the island.