PM: Pay your rent

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley

THE Prime Minister today warned delinquent Housing Development Corporation (HDC) home owners, “If you don’t pay your rent, we will put you out.”

Dr Rowley issued this warning at a distribution ceremony at the Vieux Fort Housing Development in St James.

“There is no bligh to be had,” he declared.

The PM made these comments after Housing Minister Edmund Dillon said the HDC will be implementing stringent measures to collect the outstanding rent owed to it.

HDC managing director Brent Lyons told reporters after the ceremony that approximately 3,000 people owe the HDC $120 million.

Lyons explained this is a revolving fund.

He said the HDC will work with homeowners who are challenged to pay their rent and eviction will be the final step, if people are unable to pay.

The PM said the rent people pay for HDC properties is less than the market rate for similar properties built by the private sector, and they must make rent payment a priority.

The PM also told the HDC to closely examine its housing application list to determine whether the numbers of applicants are accurate. When people are applying for HDC homes, Rowley continued, they are humble.

But, he said, some of them “turn beast” the minute they get their keys.

Rowley also condemned negative behaviours such as “urinating in the corridor.” He said if people learn to be good neighbours and good tenants, they will become good citizens.

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