More than 70 per per cent of persons living in shanty towns in New Providence are here legally, according to the New Providence Shanty Town Assessment Report, which is set to be released to the public next week.
Of that number, 15 per cent are Bahamian and 21 per cent have permanent residency. The report notes that 32 per cent of those living in those unregulated communites are on work permits, while three per cent possess spousal permits. Meanwhile six per cent of residents are said to be undocumented and the status of another 23 per cent is unknown.
The majority of households in these communities, according to the report, earn less than $400 per week however, some 10 per cent earn between $800 to $1,000, while another four per cent earn between $1,000 and $1,200. Two per cent actually earn more than $1,200 per week.
The report also revealed that Carmichael Road has the highest number of shanty towns in New Providence, with 44 per cent of the 428 households, followed by Golden Isles with 31 per cent and then Elizabeth with 25 per cent.
Seventy eight per cent of the homes have no running water, 70 per cent have no indoor toilet facilities and 53 per cent have no electricity.
The government is expected to begin demolishing these illegal communities at the end of July.
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