By Chantalé Fletcher
SIXTY beneficiaries received keys to their new homes during a distribution ceremony on Tuesday.
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in their A Home for Christmas campaign distributed 60 housing units from within the Real Springs, Vieux Fort, Carlsen Field, Harmony Hall, Bento Intento, Riverside South and Lake View to coincide with the country’s 60 years of Independence.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development Camille Robinson-Regis said that the HDC will continue to construct houses for citizens.
She said that upon completion of the Edinburgh Towers in Chaguanas, it was estimated that a two- bedroom unit will be rented for $800 and a three-bedroom unit be in the order of $950.
“These prices are unheard of in the open market, but we assure it caters to a significant pool of HDC clients,” Robinson-Regis said.
In addition, she said, HDC clients will also access rental in Oasis Phase Five in Chaguanas and Todd Street and Cypress Hills in San Fernando.
Robinson-Regis added there would be similar developments in Almond Court, Trou Macaque and Phase Four of the Beetham Project as well as in Citrus Growers along the Eastern Main Road.
She said, “The idea is that even though they are rentals, the HDC may enter agreements with tenants who are desirous of owning their own homes, but they are returning to the mandate to have available rental properties.”
Robinson-Regis promised there would also be more construction to begin in at least 22 areas for the construction of houses or the completion of housing constructions
She said, “These areas include North Grove in Curepe, whenever it becomes available again, Caura Royal Road, Caura; Exchange in Couva, Thomas Trace in Bon Air, Crest Trail, La Fortune and Strikers Village in Point Fortin, Carlsen Field.”
Robinson-Regis said that construction at Carlton Place would also continue, in Corinth, East Garden, Mahogany in Mt Hope; Malabar, Pierre Road, La Brea; Buen Intento in Princess Town, Freeport, Penco in Edinburgh 500, La Horquetta, Moruga and Rio Claro.
She also encouraged all new homeowners to connect with their new neighbours, familiarise themselves with the community.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Adrian Leonce encouraged new homeowners to honour their financial obligations to the agency and to the treatment to ensure security of tenure for their families, as well as provide a steady revenue stream that will fuel new construction for more homes for more families to enjoy the same.
He noted, “All the housing developments built within the last five years are not only aesthetically appealing, but a well-designed, modern, multi mixed family residences that are affordable with a requisite infrastructure in close proximity to commercial and social amenities, making them better suited to the needs of applicants on our database and their families.”
Leonce said these housing developments welcomed nurturing spaces with integrated play parks, and recreational and green spaces in several of its new and even older communities aimed to promote healthy communal living to encourage holistic development of the families who reside in.
