Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has unveiled an aggressive plan by the Government to distribute close to 5,000 homes over the remainder of this year, at a pace of 100 homes a week until year's end.This, however, if achieved, will still not make a substantial dent on the over 160,000 applications for Housing Development Corporation (HDC) homes.Since Moonilal announced the plans yesterday during an interview on CNMG, social media critics have labelled the move as an election gimmick.
But Moonilal has denied the housing drive was part of any election plan, saying that the HDC had been operating "under the radar" and out of the media glare while handing out keys over the past year."I wanted to start earlier but there were financial delays and some issues. We finally got the okay from the Minister of Finance and we are going to start distribution from next Saturday."Moonilal said his ministry and the HDC were working "quietly" over the past three years to have close to 5,000 homes ready to distribute this year.
"We have been working out of the glare of the media, just quietly putting things together," he said.Moonilal dismissed critics who questioned the timing of the distribution."We gave out 1,000 homes over the Christmas season, was that an election ploy too?" he asked."If this was a ploy, then we could ask all the people who will be getting homes if they rather wait until after election and see how that works. Makes no sense to say it's an election gimmick."
During last year's budget statement, Finance Minister Larry Howai pegged the amount of HDC home applicants at 160,000 and according to Moonilal that figure grows every day.In fact, at a key distribution ceremony last December, Moonilal said applicants stood at 272,000 and said since 2010 his ministry had handed out 5,200 keys. If he keeps with his new plan, Moonilal will distribute close to that four-year total figure in a matter of months.
Yesterday, Moonilal said construction has been going on "quietly" over the past three years in order to prepare homes for distribution on this scale.He claimed that as a "major success" for both his ministry and the HDC, saying that both the HDC and State-run Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott) has been "cleaned up" during his tenure."It is a major success, I am very happy we are able to do this," he said.
How houses were distributed:
�2 Between 2011-2012, Moonilal said the HDC gave out 3,600 units.
�2 For 2012 to 2013, a total of 1,977 individuals were recipients of new homes, while in 2013 to 2014 the figure jumped to 2,141.
�2 Moonilal said for 2014 to 2015, an additional 2,280 would become new home owners and by 2015 to 2016 approximately 2,728 units to be handed out.
�2 He said Union Hall will have the largest distribution with 1,080 units over the next two years. Trailing behind is Couva, with 515 units. Enterprise is third with 429.
The houses were distributed from developments in the following areas;
Greenvale Park, La Horquetta.
Oropune Gardens, Piarco.
Cleaver Heights Housing Development, Arima.
Tarodale Gardens, San Fernando.
Edinburgh South, Chaguanas.
Golconda Housing Development, Golconda.
Cypress Hills, San Fernando.
Union Hall, San Fernando.
Fairfield Housing Estate, Princess Town.
PNM projects–Rowley
People's National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley yesterday labelled the move an "election distribution," but said that he too was "very happy" for those who would be receiving houses."I am very happy for the many recipients who are finally able to benefit from the PNM housing policy," Rowley said in a text response to questions yesterday.He hinted that all the home construction projects were actually initiated under the PNM prior to the 2010 general election.
"All the various sites where this election distribution will take place are projects which were at various stages of completion in 2010," he said.HDC managing director Jearlean John yesterday also dismissed all suspicion over the timing of the handover. She said the HDC had a "hard working team" and the administration was ready for the heavy task ahead."We had almost a trial run last year when we handed out about 1,000 keys," John said.
John said the handover was the simple part, as it was a manifestation of all the years of work that went beforehand to prepare the houses."Keep in mind we have a certain standard of houses that we distribute," she said.John also denied it was an election ploy, saying that the HDC has been "quietly" giving out homes outside of the glare of the media."We have been serving the public quietly," John said.There has been several publicised key giveaways over the part five years.