The project engages stakeholders in the Eastern Caribbean, to address sustainability, climate change resilience and affordable housing challenges. It seeks to deliver tailored technical assistance to enhance Eastern Caribbean SIDS capacities for the design, financing and construction of affordable, eco-friendly housing units that can withstand climate-related hazards. By integrating sustainable building practices and technologies and creating financial models for affordability, this initiative delivers impactful financial and technical support to mainstream a sustainable and resilient approach to housing in the Eastern Caribbean.

This project builds on the Saint Lucia Green Affordable Housing project which was initiated in 2021. Building a resilient housing stock for the vulnerable segments of the population is a key priority for the Government of Saint Lucia and the results from its project have garnered interest from development partners and donors prompting the scale up into additional Eastern Caribbean countries.

This project is funded by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and delivered in collaboration with Ministries of Housing and Community Development in the Eastern Caribbean.

The goal of the project is to mobilize investment in resilient, green and affordable housing in at least three Eastern Caribbean and mainstream a resilient approach to housing the region.

To achieve this, the project aims to incorporate resiliency into housing sector policies, enhance awareness and strengthen the technical and financial knowledge on resilient, green, affordable housing. By scaling up efforts from the existing resilient, green and affordable housing initiative in Saint Lucia, the project will drive long-term policy and investment opportunities, ensuring climate-resilient affordable housing becomes a standard across the Eastern Caribbean.

The Eastern Caribbean faces significant climate-related challenges which are intensified by the geographical and economic constraints of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Limited flat land has also led to housing developments on steep hillsides, while expanding urban populations continue to settle along coastlines exposed to rising sea levels and extreme weather events. The destruction caused by hurricanes, such as Hurricane Beryl in 2024, underscores the fragility of the region’s housing stock, leaving the most vulnerable communities at great risk.

Beyond climate risks, affordability remains a major issue. High cost of living and fluctuating housing markets hinder homeownership for many. Despite efforts to expand social housing and provide lower-cost mortgage options, a significant housing deficit persists.

Resilient, green and affordable housing offers a transformative solution by incorporating energy-efficient designs, sustainable materials and disaster-resistant construction. With this solution, communities can provide better living spaces while reducing environmental impact. Multi-family and mixed-use developments further maximize limited land availability, lowering infustructure costs and enhancing resilience.

A commitment to investing in resilient, green housing can drive job creation, support the local economy, and ensure safe, sustainable living for future generations.

OUTCOME 1

The development of an advisory document which provides guidelines on green housing principles and building resilience with the housing sector specifically for the Eastern Caribbean.

OUTCOME 2

The enhancement of technical capacity and knowledge of housing sector stakeholders for three Eastern Caribbean countries thus contributing to the process of changing attitudes and perceptions on resilient green affordable housing community developments.

OUTCOME 3

The development of at least one investment proposal supporting a selected pilot/ongoing housing project