A new Amerindian Hostel will be constructed following the approval of funding by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply.

Of the $7.5 billion allocation to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs approved Tuesday evening, $500 million has been set aside for the new hostel.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah Browne-Shadeek, defending the allocation, said that the new facility is being designed to accommodate up to 350 residents.

She explained that several potential locations are under consideration, with the final site to be confirmed soon.

“So the one for the Amerindian hostel at Princess Street, all we’re doing here on the capital is we’re going to be upgrading the cupboards to commercial grade cupboards, and for the new construction of the new Amerindian hostel, there’s a sum, as I said in my budget speech, of $500 million that will be used to start a new building,” she said.

The minister noted that the existing facility on Princess Street is ageing and requires ongoing repairs and upkeep. As a result, $31 million has been approved to support maintenance.

“This would cater for the existing Amerindian hostel. As you know, it’s a very old building at this time. There’s always breakage. We have to do continuous maintenance, so this sum caters for that,” the minister further explained.