Company History
Caribbean Homes Limited was incorporated in 2007 and all of the Principals have been involved in construction across Barbados and the wider Caribbean for many years. The Shareholders’ participation in Caribbean Homes stemmed from their belief that they could set up a new Company to provide affordable and middle income housing solutions in Barbados and eventually throughout the Caribbean. The Chairman, Mr Bjorn Bjerkhamn and the Managing Director, Mr Mark Maloney bring to the table over 30 years’ experience in construction and the establishment of Caribbean Homes provides the avenue for the fulfillment of this Company’s vision of an affordable housing solution.
Barbadians looking for a home now have a Company committed to providing affordable housing solutions. Caribbean Homes Limited is the first company in the Caribbean set up to produce precast and prestressed concrete houses at the rate of 2.5 per day from its state of the art factories at Thurban, St. Philip. Production in the first factory commenced in January, 2008 and by the end of that year almost 300 houses had been produced.
CHL’s first project started at Emerald Park, Six Roads where the first two phases, totaling 214 houses have been completed. During the latter half of the year, CHL was also awarded a contract by the NHC as part of Government’s H.E.L.P. Program (Housing Every Last Person) to build 135 affordable income houses at Work Hall in St Philip, Four Hill in St Peter and Drax Hall Greens in St George. These houses range in size from 536 sq ft to 820 sq ft. Construction commenced in October, 2008 and completion is on schedule for all 135 houses by April, 2009. These are all part of a massive long term housing development across the island and these hurricane and earthquake resistant homes boast quality finishes to the highest standards.
The houses are not low income houses, they are high quality, affordable and middle income houses at affordable prices for the low income earners. The cost of the homes will range from $88,000 to just under $400,000 and Caribbean Homes Limited also plans to forge joint venture partnerships with land owners to offer house and land packages.
Due to the demand for housing, CHL’ second factory at Thurban was completed in December, 2008. This plant is equipped to produce the larger, middle income houses but with the capacity to also produce the low income designs in order to meet the ever increasing demand for this range.
The great thing about the system is that, other than the equipment, all of the raw materials are sourced locally so it gives the opportunity for local suppliers to be a part of this operation and does not deplete the country’s foreign exchange. The system is not only ideally suited for Barbadian requirements, but it meets with international standards thus giving CHL the ability to sell its services abroad, which is the long term plan.
