Dominica’s housing sector continues to make strides in its reconstruction efforts, with over 300 homes now completed under the Housing Recovery Project (HRP). Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, confirmed that 309 homes have been built to date, representing an estimated investment of US$40 million.
The project, part of a broader initiative to rebuild and strengthen the nation’s housing stock, was launched to support homeowners whose properties were destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The HRP, funded by the World Bank, is a key component of Dominica’s goal to become the world’s first climate-resilient nation.
During a press conference, Poponne-Skerrit reflected on the broader vision for housing in Dominica. In 2018, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit pledged to construct 5,000 homes by 2030, and according to the minister, progress is well on track. “We have surpassed the halfway mark both in target and time frame,” she said, noting that housing remains at the forefront of Dominica’s resilience efforts.
The HRP not only creates homes but also generates job opportunities in the construction sector, training hundreds of workers in vital resilient building techniques to foster sustainable industry development. Poponne-Skerrit emphasized that the project deliberately engaged contractors and tradesmen from the communities where homes were built, keeping economic benefits within local families.
The Housing Recovery Project is just one of several government-led initiatives aimed at improving living conditions and ensuring residents are better prepared for future climate-related challenges. With the target set at 420 homes under this program, work continues to provide housing solutions that meet international resilience standards.
Poponne-Skerrit expressed confidence in the government’s ability to meet its long-term housing objectives, underscoring that these efforts are not just about rebuilding but creating a sustainable future for Dominicans.
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