Housing Minister Andrew John says his ministry has instructed a public servant to pay for a house allocated under the previous Unity Labour Party administration, arguing that the recipient was neither a disaster victim nor an indigent person and was financially able to contribute.
John made the disclosure in Parliament on Thursday while answering a question from opposition senator Carlos James on the number of homes repaired and built under the National Housing Rehabilitation and Construction Programme during the second quarter of 2026.
The minister did not identify the person, state the cost of the house, say how much the individual had been asked to pay, or indicate whether payment had already been made.
However, he used the case to reject what he described as opposition claims that the government was selling houses intended for people affected by Hurricane Beryl, poor households or other vulnerable Vincentians.
“We have so far asked one person to pay for a house that was given to [them],” John told Parliament. “The reason why we have asked that person to pay for that house — well, there are reasons.”
John said the recipient did not meet the criteria that his administration believes should govern access to subsidised or government-supported housing.
“One, that person was not affected by Beryl. Secondly, the person [is] not poor [or] indigent — is a public servant who can pay,” he said.
John argued that a person who was not affected by the hurricane and who has the means to pay should not receive a house and land free of cost because of political connections or past government decisions.
“If your government thought it was okay to give them a house and give them land without making a contribution to it, that does not happen under our government,” he said, addressing opposition members.
The minister said his government would require people who can afford to contribute to do so, while maintaining that assistance should be directed fairly towards those with genuine need.
“When they come and think that they are entitled because of their relationship with whomever or whatever party, we are saying to you, you, as all of us would have done during our time, will be paying for a house if you want a house, as long as you are working and you have not been affected by Beryl,” John said.
“If your government thought it was okay to give them a house and give them land without making a contribution to it, that does not happen under our government,” he said, addressing opposition members.
His comments came amid a wider parliamentary exchange over the management of the housing programme, eligibility for assistance, and the pace of repairs and construction.
John said the ministry completed or assigned 88 housing-related projects between April 1 and June 30, 2026.
The figure included 52 roof repairs or replacements, 12 new homes, five bathroom additions, three bedroom additions, six general-repair projects, six electrical works and four plumbing works.
The housing minister also accused the former ULP administration of leaving substantial unpaid obligations to contractors and suppliers, saying this had constrained the current government’s ability to expand housing works.
He said the ministry had been paying outstanding bills while attempting to respond to continuing demand for repairs and new homes.
John said the government’s stated approach was to ensure a “fair and equitable distribution” of housing resources, with priority given to people in genuine need rather than to political affiliation.
The opposition did not respond directly to John’s account of the public servant’s case.