Port-au-Prince, HaitiCanne á Sucre Project

In 2008, the U.S. Embassy moved from downtown Port au Prince to a new secure facility in the Tabarre suburbs. The area around the new Embassy had very little seismically sound and otherwise acceptable housing within a reasonable commuting distance. The Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO) solution was to commence a Build-to-Lease (BTL) housing compound project consisting of 37 patio style homes on a compound with amenities including a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a club house.

A local developer was selected for the project and was responsible for the land acquisition, financing, and construction. Rent was not due to the developer until occupancy of the project. The BTL agreement included an option to purchase the entire compound at a price of $12.5 million. In the aftermath of the earthquake, real estate prices skyrocketed and the project was appraised at $21 million and the option to purchase was exercised.

The advantages of a BTL project are numerous and include:

Leveraging Private Sector Resources to accomplish USG needs; Clustering housing to reduce security, operational and maintenance costs; and Achieve sustainable design by locating new energy efficient housing, built with local materials within walking distance of the new Embassy.

Narrative

Team Photo