A Ministry of Housing and Water release yesterday stated that six families from the communities of Haslington, Non Pariel, Lusignan, Good Hope and Cummings Lodge, received the keys to their new ‘Core Homes’ and Certificates of Inspection under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, who along with Deputy Director of Community Development at Central Housing & Planning Authority, Donell Bess-Bascom, handed over the houses to the families, said that under the programme, each beneficiary contributes only $100,000 toward the cost of their new home. Each home has two bedrooms, a kitchen, and indoor sanitary facilities, and is valued at $5 million. All beneficiaries were selected during a previous application period, which is now closed.
One of the recipients, a tearful 53-year-old Sonita, said she was happy to finally have a safe place to call home. Although she had been allocated a house lot, she lived in a dilapidated wooden structure prone to flooding. Without a stable job and relying on public assistance to support her two grandchildren, she was unable to build a decent home.
Another recipient, Carlos Jules, who has been renting with his partner and children, shared his excitement about moving into their own home. He noted that when he applied for the programme he was anxious about his chances but is now thrilled to be among those selected.
“This is a start. My family will be able to grow and things will be better with this [home],” he said.
Speaking about his sons he added, “I think it will be a positive in their life from now to getting everybody one place knowing that this is we own. I don’t think we will experience no more problems after that.”
Jules’ remarks prompted Minister Croal to observe, “It’s not easy living with other persons, living in an environment that you don’t necessarily own, etc. […] This is helping with homeownership and we’re happy about that,”
And Nigel John praised the government for the initiative, expressing his happiness at gaining independence and a place to call his own. “It’s not everybody [who] could afford and it’s good what the government is doing for people who can’t afford it, you know. So they can live a happy life.”
Under the Core Home Support initiative, a total of 323 beneficiaries have been selected in Region Three and Four. To date, some 110 homes have been handed over, 188 are in the procurement phase, and several others are under construction, the release added.
