38 families get keys to HDC homes in south Trinidad

The Government is expected to earn an estimated $14 million from the sales of 20 Housing Development Corporation (HDC) units, 14 at Harmony Hall and six at Riverside/Corinth, said Minister of Housing and Urban Development Edmund Dillon.

"This will generate income so we can continue to provide additional housing units to the citizens of TT. We are aware that about 83 per cent of the 180,000-plus people on the database cannot afford some of the houses produced by the HDC."

He was speaking at an abridged virtual distribution ceremony for 38 homes at Pleasantville, Harmony Hall and Riverside/ Corinth on Tuesday.

The ceremony, held at the Pleasantville Community Centre was streamed live on HDC's YouTube channel. A total of 15 people received their packages while the 23 were given pre-arranged times to collect their packages from the Port of Spain and San Fernando offices.

The Minister estimated that $9.7 million would be earned from the sales at the Harmony Hall site and $4 million from Riverside/Corinth. Recipients of the 18 units at Building 17 at Balisier Avenue, Pleasantville, have rental arrangements.

Dillon praised the Government saying, as far back as 1962, the PNM had been initiating housing solutions. Between 2015 and now, he said, the ministry distributed 3,000 homes and continues to distribute.

"Tomorrow, based on Government's policy, we will start random draws, bearing in mind there are 180,000 plus people on the database. This will be done live at HDC."

After the applicants are selected, they must go through the process which includes interviews and assessments. Once they meet the qualifying criteria, they will be presented with their keys.

The draw is another way, Dillon said, of reaching a wider proportion of people on the database based on "transparency and commitment by the Government."

A subsequent release from the HDC’s corporate communications unit said Wednesday’s live modified random draws will be the first of two. A total of 500 applicants will be selected. The second random draw will select an additional 600 people.

At the ceremony, Dillon, saying over $1 billion had been invested in the private-public partnership, said Government insists and encourages public-private partnership. On the small-medium contractors initiative, he said it allowed contractors in zonal areas to construct homes for $500,000 or less. Construction is based on identified lots already owned by the HDC or probably the LSA.

Dillon said, "Most houses constructed by HDC are $500,000 and above. Sometimes they are close to $900,000 or $1 million. They (contractors) will be given one or two units. This also generates employment in their areas."

He encouraged recipients to make their environment second to none and to pay their mortgage/rent on time.

San Fernando East MP Randall Mitchell, also at the ceremony, said it had been a privilege to serve as an MP in addition to serving for over two years as the minister of housing.

Mitchell said Government's housing policy was built on three pillars – affordability, accessibility and to increase and enhance the quality of lives of all citizens.

"Today we see the fruits of that very hard and diligent work of the PNM. This Government has brought housing prices down significantly so that citizens could benefit.

Riverside/Corinth (formerly Corinth A and C) and Pleasantville fall within his constituency.

He recalled that Building 17 at Pleasantville, constructed in the 1970s, was burnt in 2011.

"We saw a shell but, of course, we saw what it could become. The HDC, under Mr (Brent) Lyons, conducted a structural assessment and determined that it could be rehabilitated."

He said it was built with the modern amenities and now stands as a testament, a tangible proof of what the HDC can do.