ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - Grenada's government has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s housing sector through resilient and sustainable solution.
Social and Community Development, Housing and Gender Affairs Minister, Gloria Thomas.The “Scaling-Up Resilient, Green, and Affordable Housing in Grenada” programme is being undertaken in collaboration of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) that was founded as a treaty-based international, intergovernmental organization in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
GGGI supports its member states in transitioning their economies toward a green growth model that simultaneously achieves poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
The housing initiative here is part of a wider regional effort in the Eastern Caribbean financed by the government of Ireland and Agence française de développement (AFD). The regional programme provides technical assistance in St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, reinforcing capacity to advance housing resilience while promoting sustainable green growth.
In Grenada, the collaboration supports the government’s ‘Project 500′ flagship housing intervention.
“Through Project 500, the government of Grenada is taking decisive action to expand access to safe, affordable housing for our people. This partnership with GGGI strengthens that commitment by integrating climate resilience and green building principles into our housing strategy,” said Social and Community Development, Housing and Gender Affairs Minister, Gloria Thomas.
Rachel Fitzpatrick, SIDS Lead in Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“As a small island developing state on the frontlines of climate change, we must build homes that can withstand increasingly severe weather events while remaining accessible to vulnerable families. This initiative will help us strengthen planning frameworks, unlock innovative financing solutions, and accelerate the delivery of quality housing that supports long-term national development,” she added.
GGGI and Grenada’s Ministry of Social and Community Development, Housing and Gender Affairs will work together to improve citizens’ access to resilient infrastructure, accelerate the implementation of priority housing initiatives, and strengthen green growth planning, financing, and institutional frameworks.
The partners will develop financial models to explore resource mobilization for construction, while considering the resilience and affordability of homes for vulnerable homeowners.
“Ireland is delighted to be supporting Project 500, Grenada’s ambitious initiative to revolutionise green, affordable housing. This support is in line with Ireland’s second Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which commits to expanding our climate supports in vulnerable countries and regions like the Eastern Caribbean,” said Rachel Fitzpatrick, SIDS Lead in Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“We are very pleased to be partnering with GGGI and the Government on technical and financial work that will advance climate-resilient housing solutions in Grenada,” she added.
The launch event featured a panel discussion on ‘Scaling Up Resilient, Green, and Affordable Housing: Pathways, Barriers, and Partnerships in Grenada,” with representatives from the government, partner organizations, and institutions in the finance, construction, and civil society sectors sharing insights on policy, financial, and technical barriers.
They discussed the GGGI’s innovative approaches, financing models, and partnerships that can unlock new opportunities for housing delivery with the hope that the recommendations will guide reforms, investment priorities, and future technical assistance, while strengthening collaboration between public and private stakeholders for long-term, sustainable housing solutions.
“Investing in resilient and sustainable housing can contribute to safeguarding livelihoods and supporting inclusive economic growth. Leveraging our technical leadership and global insight, GGGI partners with countries like Grenada to realize their vision in this key social sector, translating ambition into lasting development outcomes for people and local communities,” said Daniel Muñoz-Smith, GGGI’s Caribbean Representative.
