Condominium Allocation Policy

• Accurate  name,date of policy and brief historical background on the issue that generated the policy .

• Target group and targeted issue that the policy addresses (e.g who and how will they benefit?)

• Goal and objective of the policy (what does the policy set out to do exactly?

Answer

Condominium Allocation Policy

Introduction

According to Allam et al. (2019, p. 614), following the emergence of condominium neighborhoods intensifying city centers and responding to demographic preferences and market, Seychelles adopted Condominium Allocation Policy to fulfill the latter. Condominiums are forms of legal context necessitating simple ownership to individuals dwelling in multi-unit structures involving joint-ownership. Besides dominating new private sectors, condominiums encourage differentiated housing options and attract middle-class personnel (Çağdaş et al., 2020, p. 109). Condominiums provide their owners with several advantages, such as access to tennis courts, swimming pools, and fitness facilities. This essay mainly discusses the background, the target group, and the goals and objectives of the Condominium Allocation Policy. Also, it analyzes the ideological influence of the state and government on the issue of condominium housing and the possible gaps and recommendations on the Condominium Allocation Policy.

Condominium Allocation Policy    

Condominium Allocation Policy was launched as one of the comprehensive housing plans initiatives in February 2017 (Hawkes, 2021, p. 39). The policy mainly focused on recognizing the essence of having different housing products meeting the applicants’ needs and matching their savings and income. Indeed, the Condominium Allocation Policy was introduced to allow all participants from different settings to manage social housing high demands (Allam et al., 2019, p. 625). Generally, the Condominium Allocation Policy indicates a precise method via which an individual would apply for Condominium housing. Additionally, it creates a guideline and framework for housing unit allocation. Since time immemorial, a condominium has been discussed as living spaces in apartment premises constituting several other units with real estate value. Under the Condominium Act, a condominium is sold particularly as one property. Based on the information provided by the Housing Department in the Ministry of Habitat, Infrastructure and Land Transport, applicants interested in purchasing condominium units should be a citizen of Seychelles and eighteen years.

Additionally, the Condominium Allocation Policy discusses condominium housing as a form of housing tenure. Residents’ households own their units but share equal responsibility and ownership for the communal facilities and areas of the building. They include heating systems, hallways, and elevators, among others. Condominium housing indeed provides tangible services and benefits to the members (Hawkes, 2021, p. 291). Though it is critical to note that the members of condominium housing must adhere to certain obligations as the units are governed and owned by the community constitution and the state statutes and, the developer regulates the units’ affairs (Ministry of Habitant Infrastructure and Land Transport, 2018, p. 4). The developer, other than retaining authority, further administers the timing and standards of condominium housing.

Condominium Allocation Policy also was heavily introduced to set transparent methodology for applying for Condominium Housing. Other than understanding the laid down framework in Condominium Allocation Policy, the applicants would further note designated guidelines for selected housing units. Following the responsible arms of the government, such as the Ministry of Habitat, Infrastructure, and Land Transport, the Condominium Allocation Policy provided unique criteria which the applicants would meet (Allam et al., 2019, p. 621). For example, the applicant should be Seychelles Citizen and eighteen years and above.

Correspondingly, for the past three years, the application should be Seychelles’ domicile, and that their spouse should have owned immovable properties. Also, the applicant at no given incidence should have been assisted via housing loans, housing, or a residential plot of government land. Besides that, they should have a combined or single net income of more than SR20 000.00 and be in stable employment (Çağdaş et al., 2020, p. 283). On the other hand, to meet the allocation criteria, the applicant must have applied for the application for the past years in addition to being a returning graduate in Seychelles for two years and above. Consecutively, they should show the capacity to raise a sum recommended for the unit cost. According to the Condominium Act of 1998 and the Condominium Allocation Policy, condominiums are governed via by-laws, declarations, and rules. Other than implementing middle and low-income housing programs, the Condominium Allocation Policy ensures that they promote the development of small and micro-enterprises, enhancing and promoting homeownership, especially for low-income citizens.

The ideological influence of the state and government vis-à-vis the targeted issue

In Seychelles, the socialists following the concern in housing central planning and transitions resulted in the formation of the Condominium Allocation Policy (Campling and Rosalie, 2006, p. 117).  The socialists prepared sets of seminars and development frameworks favoring affordable housing. Other than noting the complex challenges related to housing, they focus on introducing market-oriented implications and further redesign the social housing policies.

According to the Seychelles state’s socialists, there was a need for concise references essential for developing the nation’s housing conditions to favor low and middle-class citizens above eighteen years and above. Also, they took into account macroeconomic condition diversity and the vast differences between housing conditions hence insisting on working with liberal government members. The primary objectives and goals were clarifying property rights adjustments and privatization scope for the public-owned housing (Campling and Rosalie, 2006, p. 122). Also, they focused on reducing and eliminating the distortions in prices, rents, and subsidies via the introduction of the Condominium Allocation Policy. Correspondingly, their primary focus was developing viable and sound market-oriented financial mechanisms for difficult housing transitions (Hawkes, 2021, p. 47). Also, the socialists and advocacy for Condominium Allocation Policy argue that via the policy introduction, there would address the disorganized issues in housing production and necessitate urgent reformations of the urban planning system and ensure the government has new responsibilities and duties in the management of publically owned housing.

On the other hand, socialist economies in Seychelles argued that it was vital to introduce Condominium Allocation Policy to address the financial, economic, and institutional issues affecting the housing sector (Çağdaş et al., 2020, p.492). Also, the policy would fully determine the standards critical for a centrally-oriented market-based economy and further technical criteria supporting housing reformations. Introduction of Condominium Allocation Policy would focus on the unique features of housing which in most cases are left untouched. Consecutively, they would make housing transition more efficient, especially in the entire housing system. Socialist economies in Seychelles also argued that Condominium Allocation Policy would adhesively address the issue of central planning in housing. While basing their principle on the law of central planning, they say that housing allocation among Seychelles citizens failed to meet the expectation of central planning. According to them, they could not coordinate all economic activities decisions providing a balancing nominal on the housing system. Indeed, Condominium Allocation Policy, if enacted, would give a significant balance to the housing systems’ physical flows, financial and monetary subsidies, and further administer set prices exceptionally vital to low, middle, and high-income Seychelles citizens.

Generally, the Condominium Allocation Policy in Seychelles would address the essential goods and services and concepts of housing systems, provide a rationale for housing allocation and further identify the needs of Seychelles citizens (Campling and Rosalie, 2006, p. 119). Seychelles is one of the nations with a good market economy, especially in the housing sector. The credible issues mentioned above are addressed fully via the introduction of the Condominium Allocation Policy. The condominium Allocation Policy would note housing allocation for Seychelles citizens meeting application criteria as a usual complex and economic good and capital good.

Possible Gaps in the Policy

The public in need of decent houses has argued that the application criterion under Condominium Allocation Policy fails to fully provide clear selection parameters for the categorized applicants, whether old or new. Ineffective selection criterion has ensured that there is no transparency and that there is bias during the applicant selection process (Hawkes, 2021, p. 203). The selection criteria solely fail to provide the proper merit for applicants eligible for Condominium allocation. Also, failure to have effective selection parameters under Condominium Allocation Policy and in-depth highlighting the fit policies makes it challenging for the applicants to understand the set core competencies, precedence, and requirements vital for the application.

Additionally, some debaters have argued that Condominium Allocation Policy fails to address the social isolation associated with condominium housing. As noted, the policy notes how the condominium housing is only based on particular concentrated areas. The citizens in condominium housing are found in big apartment blocks, and that the group losses connection from the rest of society members. In return, the residents of condominium housing may feel socially isolated as time passes as they lack social contact. Despite set objectives and goals, the group has also noted that the Condominium Allocation Policy continuously leads to the exclusion of minorities (Hawkes, 2021, p. 39). Other than only allowing the interest of a particular minority group, most of the applicants have stated that the set social housing opportunities for minorities necessitate their exclusion as being set in similar apartments, limiting their contact with the outside world. Correspondingly, many people have argued that Condominium Allocation Policy fails to provide in-depth advantages of condominium housing (Campling and Rosalie, 2006, p. 124). The public at large therefore considers condominium housing as dodgy. They thus prefer living in other housing facilities based on their demands. The rest of the group residing in condominium housing facilities have been considered poor and not treated fairly by the rest of the society members. The Condominium Allocation Policy should vastly discuss the advantages and standards members of condominium housing get. The policy should raise the overall acceptance level regarding condominium housing fully.

On the other hand, also, majority of the Seychelles citizens have argued that Condominium Allocation Policy fails to provide transparent and clear criteria guiding and prioritizing applicants for allocations. It is so costly when policies such as Condominium Allocation Policy lack transparent guidelines. Failure to have clear and transparent criteria under Condominium Allocation Policy entirely affects the lives of the applicant (Allam et al., 2019, p. 621). Other than failing to keep up-to-date on the set Condominium Allocation Policy procedures, the group may fail to understand the essential norms for their daily survival in the premise.

Also, as Condominium Allocation Policy fails to provide transparent and clear criteria guiding and prioritizing applicants for allocations and owners, it is widespread that the members allocated the premises will violate the set housing standards and principles. Also, there are more chances of potentially mismanaged funds (Çağdaş et al., 2020, p. 137). The policy fails to outline the principles of reserve and operating accounts distinctively. Besides that, the policy fails to note how effectively the two accounts should meet daily expenses. Consecutively, the Condominium Allocation Policy fails to provide transparent and clear criteria guiding and prioritizing applicants for allocations fails to address the issue of privacy when residing in a condominium. In a condo, a resident shares their wall with the rest of the neighbors, and that one would also face the challenge of delinquency. Members living in the condo have argued that the Condominium Allocation Policy fails should divide the financial responsibilities for upkeep. Contemporary, a condo is a form of community with everyone sharing financial responsibility as everyone is expected to align with the principle of paying association dues.

Three Recommendations lessening the identified Gaps

Condominium Allocation Policy should filly ensure that condos are set in various locations. The policy should eliminate the issue of subsidization necessitating social exclusion. The policy should insist that condominium housing be formed in multiple locations to help the members living in the premises associate with the rest of the community (Hawkes, 2021, p. 103). Additionally, the Condominium Allocation Policy should outline the neighborhood and housing quality, boosting the applicant’s access to condominium housing. It should transparently outline how the applicants, more so minorities, would receive financial support and further increase their housing quality. Also, it must set clear policies to limit the challenge of delinquency that most residents in condos continuously witness.

Additionally, the Ministry of Habitant Infrastructure and Land Transport should set very clear selection parameters to address the gaps in housing policies. The latter is vital in categorizing the participants and channeling newly selected participants (Ministry of Habitant Infrastructure and Land Transport, 2018, p. 2). In addition, they should set a very clear and transparent methodology considering the guideline and prioritization of applicants allocated to various condos. Setting clear selection parameters allows applicants to meet the specified criteria to purchase a condominium unit (Çağdaş et al., 2020, p. 105). For instance, an explicit selection parameter will ensure that the applicants understand that the Condominium Allocation Policy is only suitable for a Seychelles citizen. Consecutively, they should be eighteen years and above, have a set combined or single income based on the limit, and further be a Seychelles domicile. Furthermore, clear selection criteria ensure that the suitable applicants are selected based on the set standards and that there is fairness and justice throughout the applicants purchasing condominium units.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Condominium Allocation Policy was launched as one of the comprehensive housing plans initiatives in February 2017. The policy mainly focused on recognizing the essence of having different housing products meeting the applicants’ needs and matching their savings and income. It acknowledges the importance of having specific housing products meeting the applicants’ needs and matching their savings and income. Condominium Allocation Policy generally was introduced to allow all participants from different settings to manage social housing high demands. Condominium Allocation Policy indicates a straightforward method via which an individual would apply for Condominium housing. Additionally, it creates a guideline and framework for housing unit allocation. Condominium Allocation Policy also was heavily introduced to set transparent methodology for applying for Condominium Housing. Other than understanding the laid down framework in Condominium Allocation Policy, the applicants would further note designated guidelines for selected housing units. Following the responsible arms of the government, such as the Ministry of Habitat, Infrastructure, and Land Transport, the Condominium Allocation Policy provided unique criteria which the applicants would meet. For example, the applicant should be Seychelles Citizen and eighteen years and above.

References

Allam, Z. and Jones, D., 2019. Historic Urban Landscapes in the Indian Ocean waters: Challenges of urban heritage custodianship for Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, and Seychelles. The Routledge Handbook on Historic Urban Landscapes in the Asia-Pacific, pp.613-630.

Çağdaş, V., Paasch, J.M., Paulsson, J., Ploeger, H. and Kara, A., 2020. Co-ownership shares in condominium–A comparative analysis for selected civil law jurisdictions. Land use policy, 95, p.104-668.

Campling, L. and Rosalie, M., 2006. Sustaining social development in a small island developing state? The case of Seychelles. Sustainable Development, 14(2), pp.115-125.

Hawkes, S., 2021. Enabling Inward Development in the Planning System and Practice of the Seychelles 49, p.38-568.

Ministry of Habitant Infrastructure and Land Transport, 2018. Condominium Allocation Policy; Housing Department, 49, pp. 1-5.