Home for the Holidays

Congratulations and a hearty welcome home to the two hundred plus recipients of new HDC homes! The Honourable Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal recently presented elated individuals with keys to their very own houses in La Horquetta, no doubt filling them with pride and gratitude. It is indeed a encouraging and heart-warming moment seeing families of every hue being given a home in which to celebrate the joys of Christmas and usher in the New Year.

The public is well aware of the problems embedded within the housing sector, particularly the cost of purchasing land and constructing new buildings, regardless of their size or use. These problems were borne out of inefficient and poor planning within the sector (and related markets) by the previous administration. Under the PNM government, apart from the infrastructural problems, the Housing Sector was replete with financial and auditing irregularities. The current government was left a sump of poorly constructed houses and a quagmire of pecuniary woes. The goal of providing affordable homes for middle to low income families was an attainable goal but alas the PNM sought expedited completion times over safe and quality structures. The People’s Partnership then had to review, rebuild and reassess these tragic units causing the taxpayers to essentially repay for work that was supposed to have been done under the former administration. This was a necessary step in order to salvage what was previously done and allow deserving citizens the opportunity of lives anew in safe homes. Additionally, the government has and continues to construct new houses to cater those in need. For those who have not yet received their keys, have faith your time will soon come.

I am both pleased and excited for these families as the joy of having a new home is easily one of the most ebullient feelings imaginable. I thank the government for gifting our citizens with one thousand homes over the past year and for not simply laying blame on those before them. It is truly only a mature and responsible administration that can adopt the “making lemonade with lemons” approach as opposed to simply offering criticism and inaction. I would say we are well on our way to providing affordable homes for those of us who need the extra assistance. The PP government continues to positively illustrate it is truly the season for giving and we the people are receiving.

Zachary Persad
via email