## Housing Affordability in The Bahamas: Bahamas

_Selected Issues Papers, April 11, 2025_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Housing Affordability in The Bahamas: Bahamas](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/04/10/housing-affordability-in-the-bahamas-bahamas-566089)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/04/10/housing-affordability-in-the-bahamas-bahamas-566089/index.md)
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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Maria Alexandra Castellanos, Beatriz Garcia-Nunes, Shane R Lowe, Vu Chau
- Published: April 11, 2025
- Series: Selected Issues Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229008563.018

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### Overview
- Authors: Maria Alexandra Castellanos, Beatriz Garcia-Nunes, Shane R Lowe, Vu Chau
- Publication date: April 11, 2025
- Core finding: Though the population in The Bahamas has expanded swiftly since 2010, the stock and affordability of new housing has not kept pace due to limited wage growth and financing constraints.
- Chapter scope: Takes stock of recent trends in the residential housing market in The Bahamas and discusses potential drivers of reduced housing affordability.

### Key findings and diagnostics
- Housing supply and affordability:
  - The stock and affordability of new housing has not kept pace with population expansion since 2010.
- Primary drivers identified:
  - Limited wage growth.
  - Financing constraints limiting access to credit for residents.
- Government action to date:
  - Guaranteed loan programs.
  - Construction of public rental units.
- Assessment of current policy stance:
  - Authorities have taken various initiatives to alleviate housing shortages, but there is room for additional public spending in housing.
  - Easing access to credit for residents would support increased homeownership.

### Policy recommendations and implications
- Increase public spending in housing to address shortages and improve affordability.
- Ease access to credit for residents to support higher rates of homeownership.
- Continue or expand guaranteed loan programs and public rental construction as part of a broader housing strategy.

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## Content in this bundle

- **Sipea2025032**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/04/10/housing-affordability-in-the-bahamas-bahamas-566089_