Lawmakers Approve Transfer of Christiansted Property to VIHFA, Aiming to Tackle Housing and Blight

The transfer of the Hill Street property to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority is seen as a step towards alleviating housing shortages and revitalizing neglected areas, though concerns over planning and data persist among lawmakers

An affirmative vote by the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance to approve the conveyance of Plot No. 25B Hill Street, Company Quarter, Christiansted, St. Croix to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority will simultaneously help to lessen the territory’s housing challenges, as well as its struggles to deal with derelict property, VIHFA believes. ‌

The Government of the Virgin Islands owns the currently derelict property. “The conveyance of this property adds to the VIHFA’s portfolios of property that can be used for affordable housing,” explained Senator Novelle Francis, who presented Bill 35-0303 upon request from Government House. According to Mr. Francis, creating affordable housing is “critical as we work to revitalize our downtowns by bringing residents back to the town.” It’s a move that aims to restore “blight and derelict infrastructure in our towns owned by the GVI.”