The mandate of the Minister responsible for Housing is the encouragement of home ownership by persons of low to moderate incomes.  In this regard, the government offers loan guarantees to persons wishing to purchase a home.  Persons wishing to purchase a home which is not constructed in a government subdivision may also apply to an approved lender for a government guaranteed loan.  


Eligibility 

Bahamian citizens and permanent residents who are 18 years of age or older.

Process 
  1. Before applying for a government guaranteed loan, persons must have agreed to purchase a house from a seller or agreed to have a house constructed on their behalf by a developer.
  2. A government guaranteed loan can then be pursued by arranging financing through an approved lender.
  3. Once the loan is approved, the lending institution must then submit an application to the Minister responsible for Housing for an undertaking to insure the loan.  The lending institution must complete and submit the Application to Loan MI- 1 form and a Request for undertaking-to-insure MI 2  form.
  4. The Department of Housing completes the Undertaking-to-insure MI 3  form and returns it to the lending institution.
  5. Once the mortgage is finalised, the lending institution must then apply for a mortgage insurance policy on behalf of the home owner.  The Application for Mortgage Insurance Policy MI-8 form, is completed by the lending institution and submitted to the Department of Housing with the required fee.
  6. The Minister completes and returns the Mortgage Insurance Policy (MI-9 form) to the lending institution.  
  7. It should be noted that the terms of this form cannot be altered without the approval of the Minister responsible for Housing.  As such the Mortgage Insurance Policy is valid for the duration of the mortgage.

 

Application Form(s) 
  • Application to Loan MI- 1
  • Request for undertaking-to-insure MI 2
  • Undertaking-to-insure MI 3
  • Application for Mortgage Insurance Policy,MI-8
  • Mortgage Insurance Policy, MI-9

 

Supporting Documents 
  • Proof of Bahamian citizenship (Passport)
  • National Insurance Card
  • Verification of Income (Recent Pay Slip, A Job Letter, Affidavit to verify income)

 

Turn-around time 

A Government Guaranteed Loan takes a period of two to three weeks.
Deadline 

There is no deadline associated with this service.
Related Fee(s) 

A fee of ½ percent of the value of the mortgage is required when the Mortgage Insurance Policy MI-8 form is submitted to the Department of Housing.

For more information please contact 

Either of the two offices listed below during the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

New Providence
Department of Housing
Charlotte House
Corner of Charlotte and Shirley Streets
P.O. Box N275
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 302-5816 or 323-3333
Fax.(242) 328–4244

Grand Bahama
Government Office Complex
The Mall Drive
P.O. Box F43774
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 352-3630 / 3893
Fax.(242) 352–9244

Abaco
Officer In Charge
Department of Housing
Dove Plaza
Marsh Harbour
Abaco
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 367-2157
Fax.(242) 367-2150

Note: All other family islands must process request through the New Providence office.

 
Agency Contact Info
 
Housing, Department of
Charlotte House, Charlotte Street
P.O. Box N275
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
deptofhousing@bahamas.gov.bs
Phone: 242-323-3333/4, 242-302-5816
Fax: 242-323-3737 or 242-323-6133
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