A backlog of more than $20m in unpaid rent, loans and programme charges is hampering the National Housing Corporation’s ability to maintain estates across Barbados, the agency has said, responding to mounting complaints from tenants and scrutiny from MPs over delays in repairs.

The disclosure comes a day after deputy speaker and St Michael North West MP Neil Rowe used Tuesday’s parliamentary debate on the State Acquisition and Vesting of Property Number 2 Bill to question why long-serving tenants continued paying rent while facing persistent challenges getting repairs carried out.

Responding on Wednesday, the corporation acknowledged the concerns surrounding estate maintenance but argued that the public also needed to understand the financial realities affecting its operations.