Housing Summits Highlight Interest in Lower-Cost Building Methods

More than 600 residents attended the Innovative Housing Construction Summit held last week on St. Thomas and St. Croix, reflecting growing public interest in how new building technologies could help reduce construction costs in the territory.

The summit, hosted by Sen. Marvin Blyden in partnership with the Virgin Islands Territorial Association of REALTORS, focused on approaches that proponents say could lower the cost of home construction by as much as 40 to 50 percent while improving resilience and energy efficiency.

The two-day event featured panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations, and presentations from local and visiting construction firms, government agencies, developers, and financial institutions. Exhibitors highlighted a range of options, including insulated concrete forms, modular components, compact “tiny home” designs, and alternative wastewater systems.

Representatives from the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority, the Licensing and Consumer Affairs Department, the Virgin Islands Housing Authority, and several private lenders provided information on financing, permitting, estate planning, contractor bonding, and homeowner support services.  READ MORE...https://stthomassource.com/content/2025/11/02/housing-summits-highlight-interest-in-lower-cost-building-methods/