National

Great Commission Ministries Appeals for Land to Build Homeless Shelter

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Great Commission Ministries is once again appealing to the government for land, saying its efforts to build a permanent homeless shelter have been stalled for decades, despite a growing need for housing and support services across the country.

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Great Commission Ministries is once again appealing to the government for land, saying its efforts to build a permanent homeless shelter have been stalled for decades, despite a growing need for housing and support services across the country.

The ministry said that it remains committed to helping the poor but needs land to expand its reach.

Bishop Walter Hanchell – Founder, Great Commission Ministries

“Mr. George Mackey served as the Minister of Social Services, that we applied for land to build some homes for the homeless, to do some farming, 10 acres of land. And to date, in 2026, we have no land.”

Standing on the site where a 100-bed Hope City homeless shelter was planned for Carmichael Road, Bishop Walter Hanchell says his ministry has been seeking land since 1990.

And just when it appeared that dream was finally within reach, the project hit a major roadblock.

After years of waiting, Great Commission Ministries received approvals to develop the property and even began foundation work.

But construction came to a halt when questions were raised about ownership of the land, leaving the project in limbo.

Hanchell says the issue was brought to the attention of the Prime Minister’s Office, but the ministry is still waiting for a resolution.

Bishop Walter Hanchell – Founder, Great Commission Ministries

“If you’re dealing with the public and you’re dealing with the poor and you’re trying to help the poor, that must be a priority. The poor has never been a priority for any government, any administration in the last 40 years, and I think we need to fix that now. It’s time for the government of The Bahamas to start listening to the cries of the poor people, the underprivileged, the disenfranchised. It’s time for them to start listening and seeing what is happening. Poverty is on the increase in our inner cities, and it has to be dealt with.”

Hanchell said that the need for a larger facility has never been greater.

He notes that Great Commission Ministries provides food to more than 600 people daily, assists families facing eviction, and operates shelters for homeless men, women, and children.

While he says he is happy to see other individuals, churches, and organizations receive Crown land, Hanchell believes the work his ministry does should qualify it for similar support.

Bishop Walter Hanchell – Founder, Great Commission Ministries

“We need at least 10 acres of land because it’s not just the construction of the facility, but we want to build some single-family homes, and we also want to do some farming. So a 10- to 20-acre tract would do us well. And if the government wouldn’t give it to us, I’m asking for somebody in the private sector who has land at their disposal to grant us some land to take care of God’s people.”

Hanchell said if a government solution doesn’t materialize, the ministry will look to the private sector for help acquiring land.

After more than three decades of waiting, he admits the process has taken an emotional toll.

Bishop Walter Hanchell – Founder, Great Commission Ministries

“I feel disappointed. I feel like giving up, but I won’t. I’m gonna fight and I’m gonna believe God that He would supply this need.”