Lt. Governor Roach: Virgin Islanders are being priced out of Homes

During the Press Questionnaire part of the this week’s Government House Press Box Yellow Cedar Media (YCM) congratulated the Administration on the recent completion of the Ezra Fredericks Park on the east side of St. Thomas. Considering one of the owners of Yellow Cedar Media was born and raised in the area where the park was built, an area that had recently undergone a considerable amount of gentrification, YCM inquired about the process by which community input was measured while the project was on the drawing boards. 

     YCM stated that they understood there were Town Hall meetings about the park but that these meetings were not well attended. In the end-all certain members of the community feel they were left out of the process. YCM’s suggestion is that for the future there be a bit more effort in connecting with members of these communities that are directly affected by these developments so that they are made to understand the full scope of what is built in their neighborhood.

     “Your concerns about gentrification are very valid,” Lt. Governor Tregenza A. Roach replied. “Because in many instances Virgin Islanders are being priced out of homes in the Territory. That is a major reason we came up with the VI Slice Program and the Lt. Governor’s Office Program. In that program,  instead of auctions we will be creating a Land Bank. So instead of selling these properties to the highest bidders, the law authorizes us to offer them for sale to different classes of Virgin Islanders, such as first-time home buyers, the elderly, and those that are disabled. This enables us to bring a certain parity to the playing field,” he further explained. “But I will certainly share your concerns with the Governor. I think they are valid and we will work towards making some improvements.”