The government is rolling out a package of cost-of-living measures, expanding electricity bill relief, extending summer programmes for children and introducing new housing initiatives.
Speaking in parliament on 23 June, Premier Andre Ebanks said the measures are intended to provide practical assistance as households continue to face higher living costs.
The government’s summer Electricity Assistance Programme will be expanded to cover nearly 95% of households across Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Previously, automatic relief at a capped rate of CI$0.18 per kilowatt-hour was available to households in the Cayman Islands using between 101 and 2,000 kWh each month.
Under the revised programme, households consuming up to 3,500 kWh a month will qualify for relief on their first 2,000 kWh.
Working with Caribbean Utilities Company Ltd and Island Energy, the government said the programme is intended to shield households from higher fuel prices during the hottest months of the year.
Electricity prices have already increased from $0.14 per kWh in May to $0.19 in June, with further increases expected in July.
The fuel relief discount will appear automatically on residential electricity bills from July through October.
“Our electricity assistance programme protects residents from the worst extremes of fluctuating oil prices and alleviates the pressure on family budgets at a time of year when children are home from school and air-conditioners are running on max,” said Ebanks.
“We wanted to ensure that multi-generational families living under a single roof, or people with home medical equipment, would be included in the programme.”
The Ministry of Education also plans to keep government primary schools open throughout July, giving students the option of attending education and enrichment programmes during the summer holidays.
The government said the initiative is intended to reduce childcare and camp costs for families while addressing the summer learning dip.
The Ministry of Sports will also offer summer camps throughout July and August. Bus wardens will receive a stipend to provide transportation for children attending government programmes.
The government announced new housing measures following the launch of the National Housing Policy and 10-Year Plan in April.
Construction on the Apple Blossom redevelopment project in West Bay is scheduled to begin next month as part of efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Later this year, the government plans to relaunch its mortgage assistance scheme under the new HOME programme, or Home Ownership and Mortgage Empowerment.
The programme is designed to help lower-income Caymanians and civil servants secure mortgages with zero down-payments.
Consultations are also underway to update the Residential Tenancy Act, with proposed changes intended to provide greater clarity and fairness in landlord-tenant relationships that have not been addressed for 20 years.
“We know that cost of living is the number one concern for many Caymanians, and we are taking direct action,” said Ebanks.
“This is bigger than a single programme, it requires coordination across government ministries.
“The NCFC government is unified in delivering real, tangible results for Caymanians as we work to improve their lives and build a stronger, fairer Cayman Islands.”
