September 14, 2016: The Honourable Randall Mitchell, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, moved one step closer to reducing the housing shortage along the East West Corridor as he turned the sod for a brand new housing development site at Bon Air South, Arouca on Wednesday 07 September, 2016. He was ably assisted by the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Planning and Development and Member of Parliament for Arouca/Maloney who, in her remarks to attendees, underscored the benefits of this new housing development to her constituency and the overall nation’s housing stock. On Saturday September 10, Minister Mitchell moved the activity to San Fernando where he delivered keys to sixty-five recipients who were delighted to become new homeowners.
These activities continue to highlight Government’s commitment to augmenting the nation’s housing stock, despite the country’s present economic challenges, and to providing affordable attractive homes to qualifying applicants of the Ministry’s housing programme.
Minister Mitchell also indicated that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and its implementation agency, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) will continue to explore initiatives that will assist in broadening the nation’s housing base, such as the Private/Public Partnership model. This proposal will effect greater engagement of the private sector to provide financial and other resources to bear on the construction industry which will in turn assist with the economic recovery.
In addition, the Ministry and the HDC are continuing to work assiduously to complete unfinished housing projects in Diego Martin, San Fernando, Chaguanas and Point Fortin by year’s end, at considerable cost to the state. As the Ministry strengthens and expands its housing programme, Minister Mitchell confirmed that there will be more sod turning events in Harmony Hall, Malabar, Moruga Mount Hope and Trestrail in Arima to meet the anticipated target of 1000 housing starts for 2016.
As recipients received their keys last Saturday (September 10), Minister Mitchell urged them to convert their License to Occupy to mortgages as soon as possible so that the HDC can invest in more housing developments to redound to the benefit of potential future home owners. These new home owners received keys to homes in several communities in Central and South Trinidad, namely Carlsen Field, Fairfield, Oasis Greens, Cypress Hills, Gomez Trace, Lake View and Pier Road.
According to the Minister, the Government remains committed to breaking down barriers, keeping costs down, and providing housing solutions in an equitable and transparent manner in keeping with the Cabinet’s approved allocation policy.
Members of Parliament for adjacent constituencies were in attendance at the Ministry’s events last week, as well as local Government representatives, business leaders, community stakeholders, Ministry and HDC’s executives and staff.
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For further information please contact:
The Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
868 623 4663 ext 2168