Although traditional housing in the small island nation of Barbados, West Indies exemplifies the basic principles of progressive self-help, it is argued that the folk architectural tradition of this Caribbean island has received remarkably little attention from policy makers. The origins of movable wooden or 'chattel' houses in the plantation economy, specifically in relation to the evolution of plantation tenantries, is initially documented. Following this, the spontaneous self-help and upgrading experience of Barbados is documented in relation to current housing conditions. Government housing policies since 1937 are then reviewed, and it is stressed that the movable chattel house as a pan of site and service and core housing developments would make full recognition of the appropriate, progressive self-help character of the indigenous Barbadian housing system.
