The Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MPLAHI) is advancing proposed amendments to the Development and Planning Act as part of the Government’s wider housing reform agenda under the Public & Affordable Housing Policy and 10-Year Strategic Plan.
The Development and Planning (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is scheduled to be gazetted on Friday, 28 August 2026.
The Bill proposes focused amendments to the Development and Planning Act to support a more agile planning framework and the phased delivery of housing policy priorities. It seeks to adjust the regulation-making process under the Act to ensure Cabinet has the necessary full authority to make amendments and consider fee waivers, where appropriate, in support of approved public policy objectives, including housing-related priorities.
The Ministry noted that the Bill is technical in nature but forms an important part of the wider housing delivery framework. The proposed amendments are intended to support the Government’s ability to move recommendations under the Public & Affordable Housing Policy and 10-Year Strategic Plan through the required legislative, policy, administrative and implementation processes in a more coordinated way.
The Honorable Johany “Jay” Ebanks, JP, Minister of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure, said the proposed amendments are part of the practical work required to move housing reform from policy direction to delivery.
“Housing reform is not achieved through one Bill, one policy or one program. It requires the right tools, the right systems and the discipline to deliver in the proper sequence,” Minister Ebanks said. “These amendments are part of that work. The Public & Affordable Housing Policy and 10-Year Strategic Plan set the direction. Now we are putting the pieces in place to support responsible delivery.”
The proposed Development and Planning amendments are being advanced alongside other elements of the Government’s housing reform agenda, including the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill, which is currently out for public consultation through 20 September.
Together, these measures support the broader objectives of the Public & Affordable Housing Policy and 10-Year Strategic Plan by addressing different parts of the housing system, including planning processes, housing access, rental security, responsible development and long-term community outcomes.
Minister Ebanks said the Government’s focus remains on practical reform that supports Caymanians and strengthens communities.
“At the centre of this work are real people, real families and real communities,” Minister Ebanks said. “Our responsibility is to build a housing framework that works not only on paper, but in practice. That means improving access, supporting responsible development, protecting communities and ensuring implementation is done properly.”
The Ministry will continue to provide public updates as legislative and implementation work progresses.