Two hurricane-affected Pointe Michel residents receive gov’t funded houses

One of the houses

Two Pointe Michel residents, who were affected by Hurricane Maria, have received new houses courtesy of the Government of Dominica.

They are the first two, of a total of ten, who received the keys to their new homes built by the Sustainable Housing Foundation Limited of Barbados.

MP for the area, Denise Charles, expressed her delight that people from her constituency who were affected by Hurricane Maria and were displaced were getting help from the government.

“I am indeed elated that two out of ten homeowners shall receive their keys today. What an achievement from a government who cares for the ordinary man having no bias for red, blue, green or yellow. What matters to us is the safety and well being of our citizens,” she said.

Safiya Caprice and Elizabeth Pascal received their keys at a handing over ceremony held on Friday 13 April 2018.

Prime Minister Skerrit said the moment was a significant one.

“We have not only built back, but we have built back better, strong and from all assessments and projections, we have constructed homes that have the capacity to withstand most of what nature and the elements would normally throw our way, we have done it in rapid time. To God be the Glory great things he has done,” he said.

According to Skerrit, of the 1,000 homes air marked for construction under the project, another 60 was air marked for the Soufriere constituency.

He also disclosed that the Kalinago Territory will also receive the highest number of houses since the area was the hardest hit.

Director of Sustainable Housing Foundation, Mark Maloney who was in charge of spearheading the project, describes it as “a tall order to achieve.”

“What you are all seeing here, taking into account the logistics, terrain, a lack of resources during this rebuilding period, which has its own natural challenges when embarking on such projects,” stated.

He expressed gratitude to all of the artisans, companies and government agencies “who have worked tirelessly and assiduously to achieve the desired results and to recognize their efforts for the speed with which they became accustomed to the processes that are used with the precast system building”.

Maloney said this is especially commendable in light of the fact that all of the workers also had to deal with their own challenges in respect to their homes and losses, “notwithstanding all of the emotional challenges that were likely associated with this”.

The houses, he explained, are designed to withstand high seismic and wind conditions in excess of category 5 hurricanes, such as Hurricane Maria.

“The homes have concrete roofs, however what is different about the roofs is that it diffuses the heat, so that inside of the homes will be a lot cooler than what would be standard with a normal concrete home,” he said. “As you enter your homes, you will experience that the difference in temperature is far lower than what is in a conventional home with a concrete or wooden roof and you will be amazed at how cool inside is.”

Maloney added that all the homes were outfitted with finishes, fixtures and fittings that can be customized depending on each homeowners face.

“So for those potential homeowners that may not like a particular tile or color, be assured that there are options available to suit individual preferences,” Maloney added.

The function was also attended by President of Dominica Charles Savarin and his wife along with villages from the community.

One of the houses receive a blessing

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20 Comments

  1. Looking
    April 19, 2018

    It is wonderful to be able to assist the vulnerable in society. But there are dangers in this approach. 1). It is wrong to first use states resources as something personal and to then take the glory of the creator. Secondly its wrong to reward (not referring specifically to this case) immorality. An e.g, here is this young lady who goes to school works hard, excels. She takes a small loan goes off for her degree. She returns she seeks employment under the NEP which can barely pay off her debts much less build herself a home. Here is this other lady who becomes promiscuous at an early age (not blaming her, circumstances). she ends up with three children, i guess she is Mary because they have no fathers. Gov’t builds her a house, gives her a stipend plus pampers allowance. She is comfortable. What are you telling the young women, work hard get a decent education or become promiscuous? Its a philosophy people and its tearing the nation apart. He who eyes to see let him see.

  2. Sybil nowel
    April 19, 2018

    Hooray, hooray, hooray. Well done everyone. Those of you who cannot say something good femme la. Bouche

  3. Concerned Water Advocate
    April 19, 2018

    I am obliged to say that I am very impressed with this housing project so far. All should be grateful for the efforts to attempt to house our most vulnerable. In discussion with the Contractor from Barbados I was told that no provision was made for WATER STORAGE. In the Decade for “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018 to 2028) as designated by the United Nation, especially when we are talking about building better and stronger in a resilience Nation, is there any possibility of including a water storage system in the project?
    In the words of the Gentleman from Barbados, “since I arrived here, it has been raining every day”. indeed, RAIN HARVESTING is the order of the day!.

  4. sadface
    April 18, 2018

    up till now a workers cannot say something negative . i like that. if you cant say anything good…shut it up…good job by the government of Dominica.

  5. April 18, 2018

    Two out of ten and u call that great achievement
    Denise u should be ashamed of your self

  6. SPorts On island
    April 18, 2018

    I need to see inside

  7. jihan
    April 18, 2018

    House for votes,this is not democracy Skerrit.

  8. Da passports
    April 18, 2018

    That house looks very prone to earthquakes, it’s all concrete. No such thing as climate resilient unless you spending billions of dollars

  9. April 18, 2018

    Two out of 1000 – you better hurry – next hurricane season is only 43 days away!

  10. Neville
    April 18, 2018

    Them two must be fairly high ranking in the DLP hierarchy. As far as having been built better I reserve my judgement, suffice to say nothing looks revolutionary at first glance. Skerrit just keeping the crowds happy. Nothing has changed.

  11. April 17, 2018

    Hurra, after 18 years of Skerrit and 18 ministers and debts i the billions, something finally got done :-D

  12. April 17, 2018

    Good job continue the good work

  13. KID ON THE BLOCK
    April 17, 2018

    More to come! Do your thing brother Skerrit, YOU are led by the Spirit.

    • April 18, 2018

      HeHeHe, led by the spirit?? so my mother is the virgin mary :-D

  14. Yes I
    April 17, 2018

    Great. I am happy for the homeowner.

  15. Roger Burnett
    April 17, 2018

    One cannot be anything but pleased that the families will have a new home, and let’s hope that the buildings – fitted with what I assume are plastic windows and doors – will be able to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.

    While we have been told that we must not criticize, I do wish that more care could have been taken with architectural detailing. In particular, I refer to the bogus quoins.

  16. pal-lotte
    April 17, 2018

    Fr., you have to do better than that with that dasani bottle.

  17. Well
    April 17, 2018

    Why is the american holding the scissors to cut the ribbon?

  18. Me
    April 17, 2018

    : Who is that little boy cutting the ribbon, the next P.M in waiting?

  19. Skerrit I Voting
    April 17, 2018

    Congrats PM and your team… I am happy for the residents and I am proud of the Labour Government.

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