Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
I’m pleased to be here, by your side, on this most special of days.
Today is the culmination of a dream for you, and for your government.
My friends, through all the storms of life, there is nothing quite so comforting as a home.
Our homes are where we decompress—where we come together with loved ones, where we explore our interests, and where we replenish our spirits.
It is a heartbreaking reality that, in the wake of the pandemic, many Bahamians are struggling to secure safe and affordable dwellings for themselves.
Your government recognised this issue, and we have been working hard behind the scenes to address it.
We are expanding housing stock across our country, and today we celebrate the latest success in that effort.
My friends, nothing makes me happier than helping Bahamians become first-time homeowners.
Even as the cost of real estate rises throughout our nation, our government’s policies have brought homeownership within reach for more Bahamians.
We all need a place to come back to—a refuge, a sanctuary, a shelter from the unpredictable elements of life.
Reliable housing is key to human flourishing, and there is nothing more important to me than improving the lives of Bahamians.
That is a mantle I have taken up from the first Prime Minister of an independent Bahamas — Sir Lynden Pindling, a moral giant, who would have been 95 years old tomorrow.
We name this development in honour of Sir Lynden because there is likely no other figure in our nation’s history who has championed the cause of Bahamian empowerment more boldly, brilliantly, and ambitiously.
As we honour his legacy today, let us reflect on one of his most powerful messages:
“With faith in God and faith in our country and people, we can rise to whatever height we aspire to.”
Homeownership is an opportunity multiplier—it provides stability, supports asset building, and can be a key driver of social mobility.
In presenting these keys today, we are doing more than realising the human rights of Bahamians: we are laying the foundation for future success.
I can only imagine the heights to which you all will soar as new homeowners.
And make no mistake, our administration does not intend to stop here.
We are committed to enhancing access to safe and secure dwellings, for all Bahamians, on all islands.
We are building hundreds more homes across our archipelago.
We are monitoring our progress toward data-driven targets, and improving our approach as we do so.
We are also expanding access to affordable housing through other policy initiatives, such as our rent-to-own programme, as well as a range of exemptions for first-time homeowners.
We are serious about easing the financial burdens of homeownership, because the Bahamian people deserve to reach their full potential—to rise to those inspiring heights Sir Lynden had in mind.
We are building houses, but even more importantly, we are building communities.
We are empowering families.
And we are levelling the playing field to create a fairer Bahamas.
Today, I am delighted to congratulate each and every one of our new homeowners.
Thank you for your patience and your trust.
Thank you for joining us on this marvellous journey.
A future filled with opportunity is on the horizon, my friends.
May these new homes grant you joy, peace, and lasting prosperity.
Congratulations once again.
Thank you all, and may God continue to bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas!