Housing Ministry opens applications for new programme

Over 300 people rushed to be among the first to submit applications for one of the 1,000 lots of land on offer from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s new Aided Self-Help Housing Programme.

In a release Tuesday, the Ministry said up to 250 people had already filed their formal applications on Monday, the opening day for submissions, at the Ministry’s Couva Village Plaza offices.

The programme was first launched on November 10, and offers resident citizens who are over 21 years old and do not own property, the opportunity to purchase state land for 30 per cent of the market value. They will also have access to subsidised mortgage facilities from the TT Mortgage and Finance Company, pre-approved house plans, and construction assistance.

Those who qualify and are approved have two years to complete construction. Resident citizens who do own land can also benefit, with subsidised mortgage rates and technical guidance.

Applicants face the same restrictions as the National Housing Programme, including a $25,000 income limit.

The land available for this first cycle is located around the Chaguanas and Couva area. Some of the parcels were part of the Land for the Landless programme.

Housing Minister Randall Mitchell said the response on opening day was “positive.” He added that he was not surprised by the turnout since initial reports suggested over 9,000 forms had been downloaded or otherwise collected from the Ministry.

“While Government is unable provide ready-built homes for everyone, we will continue with relentless pursuit to create innovative housing solutions for low and middle-income earners in need,” Mitchell said in a statement.

Applications for this first cycle of the Aided Self-Help Housing Programme close on January 12, 2018 and can be submitted at the Couva Village Plaza on Mondays to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, and Saturdays from 8 am to 12 noon.