November 19, 2016:
The following is the Address by the Honourable Randall Mitchell, M.P., Minister of Housing and Urban Development at a Key Distribution Ceremony at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, San Fernando on November 19th, 2016.
Good Afternoon,
I am immensely pleased to be here with you today as you take this monumental step to becoming a new home owner. I will admit that presiding over Handover ceremonies, is one of the more rewarding aspects of my job because these activities help to highlight the positive impact of Government’s housing policies, programmes and initiatives on people across this country. This is not an idle boast as we continue to see the difference when our fellow citizens are afforded the opportunity to access affordable housing for themselves and their families.
Many of you may not remember, but prior to 2002, Trinidad and Tobago did not have a comprehensive housing policy designed especially with you in mind. The PNM realised that Government had a major role to play in the local housing sector. So, when the party came into office in 2002, it tabled the Government’s National Housing Policy. This was quickly followed by the implementation of the Accelerated High Density Housing Programme and the creation of the HDC to ensure that the housing sector would be looked at holistically to serve the needs of our low to middle income groups all across this country.
Today, it is safe to say that this Government led by Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, has continued this tradition by maintaining the tenets of this citizen-centric housing policy, which was formalised in 2002.
As Minister of Housing and Urban Development, I am committed to ensuring that the Ministry and the HDC continue to offer Housing Solutions that are: Affordable, Accessible, and That Raises the Standard of Living and Quality of Life for all its Citizens.
In this Pursuit, and As part of our continued thrust into the local housing sector, the Ministry and its implementing agency, the HDC, have embarked on its 2016-2018 Home Construction Programme. You would have seen that, over the past year, we turned the sod for the construction of three new developments along the East West Corridor, at Arima, D’Abadie and Mt. Hope, where the nation’s housing needs are most critical.
I had promised myself not to be long here today, because I noted from past key distribution ceremonies that key recipients, while being extremely grateful and happy, were really interested in one thing once they received their keys....That is, going to visit their new homes. And especially now, in this season. It' and exciting time. It's Christmas time. Christmas is just around the corner.
Giving families the keys to their new homes especially at this time of the year is very important, not just to the families who will occupy those homes, mind you. The distribution of homes also greatly impacts on the local economy. Many small entrepreneurs, large businesses, and tradesmen benefit from the distribution of each and every housing unit. When you leave here you would be considering all the things you need to buy to put into your new home to make you and your family more comfortable. You may have to buy or repair your furniture. You may have to buy electronics, televisions, sound systems, washers and dryers, and stoves. You will have to sign up at your favourite telecommunications providers. You now have a freedom of choice that wasn't always there for HDC homeowners. But we at the HDC and the Ministry of Housing made sure that that choice was made available to you, the home owner because we care. You may want to buy your rods and make your curtains and for that you will need a seamstress. You may want to make a few changes, once you are permitted by HDC to so do. Paint walls, install an Air-condition unit, or build a wall. And for that you would need handymen, masons, plumbers, electricians etc.
So you see Ladies and Gentlemen, it is not solely about the key recipients and families here today. It is about stimulating the economy and giving opportunities to local businesses to offer you their goods and services. Think about the impact that each HDC development has on the local economy. And it is for this reason that you will see a number of businesses, large and small here offering you brochures showing what goods and services they have on offer.
So Ladies and Gentlemen, it is Christmas time. The Parang has started. The Pastelle making and shopping has already started. People have already started putting their homes away for the season and I have just described to you the nexus between home owner and how the local economy is stimulated around this time of year. But ladies and Gentlemen, we at the Ministry of Housing and the HDC understand what Affordable and Safe Shelter means to families at Christmas time.
We understand what it means for a father and mother to show their son or daughter for the first time what his room looks like. Where that child can sit by a table to do homework in peace with his Ipad and reliable high quality internet services. We understand what it means for a family to no longer have to put up with an awful landlord who refuses to do basic repairs to premises but raises the rent every six months.
It is for these reasons and within this understanding that I, as Minister of Housing, have challenged the HDC. I have challenged the HDC and I have told them that between now and Christmas Day we are going to house 1000 families. We are going to distribute 1000 homes before Christmas..... Starting today. And I am happy to report that it is a challenge that the HDC has accepted. It might mean that potential home owners may have to accept the units in a less than perfect condition and the HDC coming to treat with the issues later on. Or the home owner accepting the unit in an AS IS, WHERE IS condition because we have a lot of vacant/vandalised units just sitting there for years with little money to repair them. It might mean that we at the Ministry of Housing and the HDC would be working on Christmas day ensuring that persons receive their keys. And if that is what it takes, then that is what we will do to ensure families get their units.
New Home Owners, Today you will receive the keys not just to your new homes but also to your new futures. Congratulations! Some of you may not realize it yet but owning your own home is a great responsibility. If each of you regard your home as a long term investment, I know that you will take care of it and will encourage your neighbours to do the same so the value appreciates. That is what we want from you so that together we can create safer, more comfortable, more sustainable communities. From today onward, it is up to you to make Egypt, Fairfield, Eden Gardens and Cypress Gardens, model communities which can be compared to any other.
You also need to be cognizant of your contractual obligations and make every effort to pay your monthly rent, licence to occupy or mortgage payments. You also need to convert your licence to occupy and rent to own arrangements as soon as possible. For those tenants and homeowners who are in arrears of their payments, we strongly urge you to correct that situation to avoid losing your home.
Ladies and gentlemen, when you honour your payments, we at the HDC receive the financial resources which can go toward the construction of additional units and maintenance of existing ones so that many more deserving families can have a share in the local property pie. These types of activities also help to advance our country’s economic recovery.
Our goal has always been and will continue to be, to create opportunities for deserving families, primarily the low to middle income earners. This is our policy directive, which we follow. We want everyone to lead decent, dignified and rewarding lives. We will continue to do our part to ensure that shelter remains a vital part of that equation. You, however, need to understand your role and honour your commitment.
So, Let us strive to build sustainable communities that will continue to prosper and empower us to be all that we can be. As we approach Christmas, I take this opportunity to wish you the very best wishes for the season.
Home Owners, i wish you best of lunch and all the success in your New Homes.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
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For further information, please contact:
Manager, Corporate Communications
Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
Tel: (868) 623-4663 ext. 2244/ 2168