Construction has officially begun on the Long Look Social Home Complex, a major social development initiative aimed at providing safe, supervised accommodation and structured support for some of the most vulnerable persons in the Virgin Islands.

Speaking at the site visit, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, explained the vision and purpose behind the facility describing it as being both practical and compassionate.

Honourable Wheatley said, “This centre will serve several functions, but at its core it provides something very basic and very necessary, a safe place to sleep. It will operate as a supervised facility working alongside the Safe Haven Transitional Centre to provide temporary accommodations to the vulnerable coupled with structured support programmes to assist their transition back to independent living.”

Minister Wheatley noted that the project has already contributed to local employment during construction and has been designed with sustainability in mind, operating fully on solar and battery power. Honourable Wheatley added, “This project has brought local men and women into employment and reflects our commitment to sustainable development. I must thank the Premier for his support in bringing this initiative to life. While the idea is not new, what matters is that it is now being properly funded, delivered and implemented in a way that benefits the entire community”.

Also addressing the significance of the project, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, Premier and Minister of Finance, empahsised the broader social impact of the development.   

“This building represents more than just a structure; it is an expression of compassion,” the Premier said. “It reflects how we choose to treat those who may be experiencing hardship and vulnerability.”   

He added that the location of the facility in the Long Look community carries particular meeting. “Long Look, is a historic community with a proud and resilient spirit. Long Look has always blazed the trail, and having the first facility of its kind here means a great deal. It also matters that people from the community are helping to build it, because we want them to take ownership, help maintain it, and ensure it remains a place of dignity and care.

Meanwhile, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro, Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports and Territorial-at-Large Representative, highlighted the transformative and forward-looking nature of the initiative.

Honourable de Castro said, “People can find themselves in difficult circumstances through no fault of their own. This facility provides a doorway back to stability and opportunity. It takes vision to create a space like this within a community, and I am pleased to see that vision becoming a reality”.

Also speaking on the importance of the project, Honourable Stacy Mather, Territorial-at-Large Representative, focused on the practical impact the facility is expected to have on long-standing social issues.

“This facility targets some of the most vulnerable in our society, and that has been a clear mandate of this Government. This facility will be welcomed and well utilised,” Honourable Mather said.

“Homelessness is also another issue facing people and this project represents a meaningful and necessary step toward addressing that issue in a structured and compassionate way,” Honourable Mather added.

The project is being led by Mr. Dion Crabbe, Managing Director of Island Concrete Limited, and is located in the heart of the Long Look community. Once completed, the Long Look Social Home Complex will provide structured accommodation and comprehensive support services for chronically homeless individuals, and persons facing severe social and economic hardship.

The facility will complement the existing Safe Haven Transitional Centre by providing a critical next step toward rehabilitation, reintegration, and independent living, further strengthening the Territory’s broader social protection framework.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development remains committed to protecting and promoting the health and social well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands through effective policies, sustainable programmes, and strategic partnerships that support a safe, healthy, and resilient society.