Because squatting on both private and state lands had become so prevalent in the 1990’s, the Land Settlement Agency was formed as an Agency dedicated exclusively to the regularization of these squatters on state lands.  Historically, squatting has been a feature of the country’s housing landscape.  Its origin can be traced to the 1840’s when freed slaves resorted to finding housing solutions in the absence of a state programme.

Tobago’s development did not result in squatting, however, squatting, continues to remain a Trinidad phenomenon. The management of squatting in Tobago is the responsibility of the Tobago House of Assembly.

Squatting Settlements, also referred to as informal settlements, has taken place in a diversity of physical landscapes including hillsides, flood plains, the coast, valleys and wetlands.  Squatting has also taken place in areas reserved for forests, agriculture, oil mining, public transport routes, quarrying, parks and other public use.

The Government has adopted the position that poverty reduction and the provision of goods and services which ensure sustainable livelihoods and decent quality of life must be addressed holistically and the LSA’s work is an important platform for development, in this regard.