BRADES – The first five persons have been selected to benefit from the Davy Hill Housing Rehabilitation Programme announced by Chief Minister Reuben T. Meade and Minister of Housing Joseph Farrell-Taylor last September.
Under the programme, residents will have new homes constructed in a shared equity plan with the Government of Montserrat.
The impetus for the programme Minister Farrell-Taylor said was that government is “committed to closing all emergency shelters within 18 months of coming into office.”
“This is a dual ownership. Meaning a portion of the property will belong to the government until such time as the owner or a relative wants to buy out that portion,” explained Camille Thomas-Gerald, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture. “Each agreement is different and depends on how much equity each owner is willing to give up in order for the new construction to happen.”
The Project Implementation Unit will be managing the construction of the homes for the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment (MALHE). The permanent secretary explained that plans for two and three bedroom homes have been drawn up and the low-cost model design is copyrighted by government and will be used in other housing programmes which will come on line in the months to come.
The homes are expected to take three months to complete, and in the meantime persons can choose to stay at housing designated in Pasture Piece or with relative and friends.
ENDS
