The Government will construct 500 starter homes under the Housing and Village Improvement Programme during fiscal 2025.
This was revealed by Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Adrian Leonce, during a key distribution ceremony at the Bon Air Community Centre.
The Housing and Village Improvement Programme under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, through the Land Settlement Agency, upgrades the living conditions of families in rural and peri-urban spaces.
On March 12th, 50 families celebrated after receiving the keys to their brand new starter homes.
For Carl Walker, it’s a dream come true: “I have been living in a board house for forty years and maintaining my children and getting them to go to school and now getting this relief, I am so thankful and I appreciate this great gesture.”
Samdai Singh-Rojan was brought to tears after receiving her keys. “It have a lot of them outside there who need it just like me, and I just ask God to bless them, I can’t thank the Lord, a million, million time.”
Michelle James and her two children are ecstatic to have a proper roof over their heads. She said, “We will be able to shower, have a proper toilet. I will be able to cook, so that in all is a great thing for me and my kids right now.”
Over the next two months, the Land Settlement Agency will complete the construction of another 126 starter homes.
Minister Leonce said there are even bigger plans for 2025.
“For fiscal year 2024/2025, by way of a Government-guaranteed loan of $150 million, we will construct an additional 500 starter homes.”
The cost to construct the starter homes ranges from $165,000 to $175,000 depending on the terrain. Recognising the rising cost of construction materials such as steel and cement, Minister Leonce said the Government has agreed to increase payments to some small contractors.
“This Government has increased the amount paid to contractors for the construction of houses built on flat land from $165,000 to $200,000. Therefore there will be further consideration for houses on hilly lands and undulating lands.”
The keys distributed were for homes in Arima, Diego Martin, San Juan, St. Augustine, Wallerfield, Sangre Grande and Caroni.
A total of $8,250,000 was spent for the construction of these 50 homes.