CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. joined Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) officials on Thursday, to break ground on VIHFA’s newest homeownership subdivision at Estate Fortuna in St. Thomas.
The subdivision called “Wild Pineapple” will be constructed in several phases, with Phase I focusing on the building of solid infrastructure — concrete roads, drainage, retaining walls, and underground utilities and lighting.
VIHFA anticipates the first homeowners moving in in 2022 and the full completion of construction in 2025.
The initial infrastructure will be built with local Stamp Tax funds and the homes will be built with CDBG-DR funds that can assist with construction for first-time homebuyers.
“I worked in the Housing Authority for many years and there you saw the plea for homeownership — especially in St. Thomas where they were paying the ceiling rent and they had enough money to get a house but they didn’t have enough money for the down payment,” Bryan said.
“That’s what today is about. It’s about giving them a piece of the rock. It’s about making sure they have a stake in these beautiful islands that they call home. That they recognize that their government is looking out for them and that their children recognize that homeownership builds equity.”