CARICOM CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (CCDP)

National Census Report 2001, St. Vincent and the Grenadines6.4 Type of TenureThere were 23 065, or 75.58 per cent of the total households that owned their dwelling units in2001, (Table 6.3). These figures are higher compared to 1991, when 19 253 and 71.3 per centowned their dwelling. During the 1990s, several housing projects were introduced and manypeople had the opportunity to access home loans from the Commercial Bank and housingschemes, which potentially contributed to the increase in homeowners.Overall, 12.54 per cent of the households were rented from private entities and 9.09 per centwere rent-free. These rates are lower compared to 1991 when 14.1 per cent were rented and 11.8per cent were rent-free. An additional 0.12 per cent rented from government while 0.47 per centsquatted.Table 6.3: Total and Percentage of Households by Type of Tenure, 2001Type of Tenure Number PercentTotal 30 518 100.0Owned 23 065 75.58Rented-Private 3 828 12.54Rent Free 2 774 9.09Squatted 143 0.47Rented-Government 37 0.12Other 671 2.206.5 Year Dwelling was BuiltA little less than 30 per cent (27.64 per cent) or 8 436 of the households had their dwelling builtduring the 1990s. This is in comparison to 17.61 per cent (5374) whose dwellings were builtbefore 1970 and 18.23 per cent (5563) whose dwellings were built in the 1980’s. Additionally,11.47 per cent (3499) of households had their dwelling units built in the 1970’s while only 3.61per cent (1102) of households had dwellings built in 2000. The decline in the number and77