Attorneys for Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar are writing the Housing Development Corporation seeking to get the HDC to return to its initial offer regarding housing units offered to Gomez Trace Housing Development Phase II, Moruga.
This following Persad-Bissessar’s meeting on Wednesday with a group of residents who raised a number of issues to be resolved with HDC and problems with the units.
The UNC leader has instructed her attorneys to send a pre-action protocol letter to HDC swiftly, an Opposition release stated. Persad-Bissessar said, “This isn’t about votes it’s about fixing an injustice. If HDC fails to comply it would result in the pursuit of High Court proceedings,”
She said that last year Government offered two-bedroom units in Phase II for $330,000 and three-bedroom units for $420,000. However, months later when residents were called to view the model unit, they were “forced” to enter an agreement and informed the price increased.
Residents were told a two-bedroom would now cost $450,000—a price increase of $120,000—and the three-bedroom would cost $625,000—a price increase of $205,000.
“Residents were informed that if they weren’t prepared to accept, the units would be re-allocated, and they’d lose the offer,” she added. “Most applicants had already been on the waiting list ten to 20 years and signed the agreements under undesirable circumstances. “
She said residents discovered a host of problems with the units, including sewer leaks, poor construction, drainage issues, lack of staircases to emergency exits, one ingress and egress in some cases, no tiling, electrical and structural issues.
Her attorneys are seeking a return to the initial offer of the two-bedroom units offered at $330,000 and the three-bedroom units offered at $420,000. She also wants HDC to immediately assess the defective units and fix them, plus compensate clients for sums they have expended for repairs.
Persad-Bissessar said some residents spent their own money to fix the units. She added appeals to PNM MP Lovell Francis did not bring relief and despite residents completing HDC defects sheets, only a few got relief.