17 more Vincentians get low income houses

The 17 owners of the newest low income houses in St. Vincent and the Grenadines should consider themselves fortunate, considering the mortgage crises being experienced in the United States and other countries around the world.{{more}}

This was the view of key speakers, including Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Minister of Housing Julian Francis and Chairman of the Housing and Land Development Corporation (HLDC) Beresford Phillips who touched on the global economic situation while addressing the handover of the houses, which took place on Monday, February 23rd, at Clare Valley.

Dr. Gonsalves said that while people in the United States were unable to maintain their own homes, his government was constructing homes for the low income persons of this country.

He indicated that shortly, construction is to begin on the no income housing programme valued at EC$8 million through the Petro Caribe programme with Venezuela.

The Prime Minister described the more than 400 homes already constructed around the country as “Bridges for our people to utilize to advance themselves in their own interest and the interest of our civilization”.

Francis, in his address, pointed out that in a time of global financial crisis, low income earners in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are still able to receive subsidized housing. He indicated that homes with a market value of about EC$108,000 and $133,000 were sold to the owners at prices from $90,000 to $128,000.

When the project is complete, more than 130 homes will be constructed along the leeward coast, joining close to ten other locations around the country where homes have already been built.

HLDC Chairman Phillips indicated that the task of selecting the first 17 homeowners out of a database of more than three thousand applicants was a difficult one.

He noted that there is a need for persons to begin looking at other housing options, being a small nation with high housing deficit.

The new homeowners were called on to take care of the homes, which should be regarded as an investment of a lifetime. (JJ)