PRIDE Estates Three was officially opened yesterday, the fifth Bahamas government subdivision to be opened and completed under the Ingraham administration.
Bahamas Housing Minister Kenneth Russell said this subdivision is in keeping with the Government's commitment to "reduce the presence of unregulated communities" in the Bahamas.
According to Mr Russell, the Bahamas Ministry of Housing has already constructed 480 houses and sold 237 serviced lots in this current term, with an additional 180 houses now under construction in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco.
He said: "I am pleased to report that we have not only met our goal to construct 600 homes, but we have surpassed it. We have estimated that $63 million is needed to complete what we have planned and we will continue to move forward ever increasing our numbers until either the money runs out or my position expired."
Mr Russell said the development of the 27-acre Pride Estates Three plot and Fire Trial Gardens will cost around $17.6 million of which $7.9 million has already been spent.
"We have completed in Pride Estates 110 homes and 16 are under construction. We are also in the process of regularizing a number of squatters in this subdivision. We have also provided jobs for 52 contractors and their workers," he said.
"We are pleased that we were able to provide homes for Bahamians while at the same time contributing to the economic advancement of our country. These three-bedroom, two-bath, and two-bedroom, one-bath homes range from $83,000 to $135,000."
In addition to the homes, Mr Russell said the government is also building a children's park, a basketball court, a tennis court and maintaining a public open space with a pond.