The Minister for Housing, Reginald Austrie, said 500 climate-resilient homes will be constructed in the Kalinago Territory soon. Apart from constructing the new homes, the minister stated all houses damaged by Hurricane Maria in the territory will be repaired and rebuilt. He added that local builders have been engaged for the project which is planned for execution together with the Kalinago Council.
According to the housing minister, local builders have been engaged to renovate, repair and reconstruct many houses. To drive home his point, Austrie said more than 10 contractors have been engaged to construct 25 new homes in the first phase of the project. He added that MMCE was also hired to construct between 200-250 housing units in the territory.
Furthermore, the European Commission funded the construction of 50 homes and work will begin on these after the initial designs have been approved. Also, at least 40 families with accommodation problems will benefit from the World Bank Housing Recovery Programme which aims to put roofs back over their heads.
Austrie revealed that Sustainable Housing Solutions Limited has completed the first 10 pre-cast concrete homes in Sineku, and they have been contracted to complete another 20 units as well. The first completed 10 were gifted to residents of Lagley and Concord which are parts of Salybia constituency.
The government said over $230,000 was expended for the construction of the climate-resilient homes.
During the presentation, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit noted that the housing was part of the campaign promises the DLP made to the people.
“It’s not building 5,000 homes at a time; it is about housing one family at a time, which means one less vulnerable family in society,” Skerrit said. “That is progress. We must appreciate that as a people. We don’t do these things to boast; as a government, we do this because it is the founding principles of the Dominica Labour Party – to look after the less fortunate.”
Cozier Frederick, the constituency representative for the Salybia constituency, expressed joy at the event, saying he is glad to be part of the housing revolution in Dominica.
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