The Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) is inviting low-income earners and persons who are interested in becoming home owners to find out how they can benefit from its soon-to-be-launched core house pilot project.
Ministry officials told the media that plans are in train to develop a number of housing schemes under this project which is a component of the US$27.9M Second Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS). The project which was launched in June is expected to give low-income families access to enhanced living conditions through housing solutions and access to house lots, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
CHPA Chief Executive Officer Myrna Pitt said the agency is currently conducting work in five areas: Ordnance/Fortlands Phase Two, Tuschen Phase Two, Lusignan B and squatter areas: Binkey Alley and Sophia B. She said six other areas: Ankerville, Region Six, Area R and Block Five Eliza and Mary, Block EE Non Pariel, Westminster Phase One and Tabatinga in Lethem, Region Nine should come on stream shortly.
The CEO said the other component which includes boosting the CHPA’s capacity is going quite well. “We have quite a large training programme with several officers currently being trained at the masters’ level,” she said. According to Pitt the second component will be implemented shortly in the hinterland. “We have started that as a pre-pilot which will be conducted during May. There is also the housing improvement pilot the partnership pilot and the core house pilot,” she said.
Beneficiaries
As regards the implementation of the core house pilot, the CEO said that the pilot targets allottees in new and existing schemes and that it will be implemented shortly. Pitt said plans are in train to advertise for this pilot on Sunday. She also noted that the programme has budgeted US$2.2M which will be used to construct 400 core houses (starter houses) for persons who cannot secure funds from financial institutions to build a home.
Alluding to certain design principles under the programme, Pitt pointed out that the CHPA will be supplying the starter unit which would be outfitted with a multipurpose sink, a toilet and bath area and septic tanks with plumbing and electrical fittings. The houses will be built with concrete and timber walls which will lend to further housing expansion. “The core house lends itself to expansion … as the beneficiary family can afford it,” she said that this “is critical and it allows the family to expand or improve on that basic unit as their financial circumstances improve.”
The CEO further highlighted that the project will target persons who are allotted house lots in existing schemes and who have not yet started to build as well as persons who might be occupying buildings that can be replaced by core homes. Advertisements for the core houses will be publicized for six weeks from May 23 and applications will be made available from May 24 in the areas that have been selected.
“In all we are looking to construct approximately 113 houses….And the advertisement will be quite specific and detailed to ensure that the beneficiaries will know where they have to obtain their application forms and what they need to submit on these forms,” Pitt emphasised.
Housing Improvement programme
In addition to the core house pilot project, Pitt noted that the CPHA will also be implementing a housing improvement pilot in existing schemes. This pilot will facilitate the improvement of 400 units within existing schemes. “We will be going through a process of advertisement similar to the core house. We will also be doing similar outreach programmes in communities to sensitise and inform them of the housing improvement pilot,” she said.
The ministry will be spending about $200, 000 to repair or improve an existing unit, GINA said. It was noted that core houses will not be developed in squatting areas but the agency will be upgrading and improving infrastructure in squatting areas.
Eligibility
CHPA Land Development and Administrative Manager Denise King-Tudor noted that the pilot targets only low-income allottees and those with a monthly household income not exceeding $60,000. She pointed out, however; that applicants must have an allocation within one of the schemes since the houses will be built on the lot that is allocated to persons. Applicants who have completed payments for their house lots should indicate their interest in participating in the programme she said. They should also have procured or be processing their certificates of title or transport.
King-Tudor also said the lots allocated to applicants that are vacant or applicants who are currently living in buildings that are structurally deficient or those that must be replaced are also eligible for the programme. She said that successful applicants must contribute an equity share of $100,000 towards the core house.
As regard new housing schemes King-Tudor said for persons who are interested in applying for a core house, the process is similar to that within the existing scheme; however, the invitation is extended to persons to participate in the programme. “Successful applicants must be ready to pay in full for the land immediately or within a specific time period that will be indicated to them and also they are required to pay their equity share of $100,000 towards the core house. Selected applicants must occupy the core house within one month of its completion,” she said.
According to GINA applicants are advised to carefully read the information provided and complete application forms and return them within a given time along with the required document. Assistance will be provided at the regional level and by regional housing officers. Tudor urged persons who have not built on their lots and those who have been occupying low standard buildings to utilise the opportunity to acquire their own homes.
