As the government continues to drive the resilient housing agenda through major projects island-wide, sixteen (16) families from the community of Eggleston will receive keys to their new homes next month.
Presenting the 2025/26National Budget last week, finance minister Dr. Irving McIntyre announced that there are additional ongoing works in Grand Bay as well as Woodford Hill, Penville, and other communities, with the overarching aim of delivering 256 homes under the Modern Resilient Housing Development Programme.
He also clarified that 21 homes have already been accounted for in the village of Scotts Head, and an official handover in that community is imminent.
“Mr. Speaker, we were poised to deliver 21 homes to deserving beneficiaries in Scotts Head on Wednesday [July 23]. Unfortunately, the weather did not permit it. The fact is the beneficiaries already have their keys, but we shall set a date immediately after the budget is passed to formalize the handover,” he said. “We expect that by January of 2026, we would have handed over a cumulative amount of 210 homes to deserving families across Dominica.”
In addition, he said efforts to grant title ownership to beneficiaries of government housing programmes are underway with the appointment of a state attorney solely dedicated to the acquisition of titles for recipients, with first priority being given to those displaced by Tropical Storm Erika.
“The Housing Recovery Project made a significant impact by building and delivering 382 resilient homes and resolving land ownership issues for 172 families,” Dr. McIntyre noted. “In addition to improving living conditions, the project generated employment for hundreds and created meaningful opportunities for local contractors and businesses across the country.”
He noted that preparations for the relocation of families of Campbell, Petite Soufriere, San Sauveur, and Good Hope are well advanced.
“Infrastructure to facilitate construction is in place at both the Castle Bruce and Warner sites,” he revealed. “Several consultations have been held with the stakeholders. Home designs and bid documents have been completed; funding has been secured, and it is expected that the Government will begin awarding contracts for the construction of these homes by September 2025.”
He continued, “Though this is an expensive undertaking, [the] government is committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of the families.”
Dr.McIntyre further revealed that work has started on the model homes under the Future Housing Development Programme.
“There are presently two model homes under construction at the Warner site, while a third is to be constructed at Cotton Hill in Portsmouth. Once these three modern homes have been completed, applicants will be invited to select their designs,” he explained. “Young professionals and public officers can access the requisite financing on concessionary terms, as government has already negotiated special interest rates with the National Bank of Dominica and the National Cooperative Credit Union, which are partnering with us on this programme.”
He went on to add that the government sold 45 housing lots last year and in this new financial year, will make available for sale 177 lots, the majority of which will be sold to public personnel and police officers, at concessionary rates.
“Work is ongoing to regulate the rental property market through revised rent control legislation to balance tenant and landlord interests and ensure affordable rental housing,” he stated. “This work is being spearheaded by an Advisory Committee comprising public and private sector membership.”
Dr. McIntyre said consultation on the proposed new policies will begin by the second quarter of this Fiscal Year and anticipates that the new legislation will be in place by the end of this Fiscal Year.
Meanwhile, he mentioned that a Northeast (International Airport area) land use plan is under development with the assistance of grant funding from the Caribbean Development Bank, while a new Geographic Information Systems Unit was established during the last fiscal year to support integrated data-driven development across sectors.
“In respect to Urban Development, Mr. Speaker, during the last Fiscal Year, preparatory work for the continuation of the Roseau Enhancement Project, specifically the rehabilitation of six streets, progressed, although at a slower pace than expected,” he explained. “This was primarily due to delays in the procurement process. However, I am pleased to report that a dedicated Project Implementation Team is now in place, and tenders for the supervision of works are being evaluated. It is anticipated that a contract for supervision will be awarded by August 2025.”
He noted that the engagement of both the implementation and supervision teams is a key requirement under government’s agreement with the Saudi Development Fund, the financiers of this important project.
“The pace of implementation is expected to accelerate in the upcoming months, and we anticipate that the request for tender for the works will be issued by October 2025, and a contract awarded by January 31, 2026,” he revealed. “This is one of the most essential projects for our country. It will not only contribute to user comfort and safety but also to improved urbanization, enhancement of commerce, and beautification of our city in a manner that befits the beautiful Nature Island.”
Whenever these occupants get the requisite documents of ownership of house and land then and only then they can celebrate. They are NOT owners, they are mere occupants who can be given their eviction order at anytime.
Look how the tyrannical administration framed the ceremony: ” …. receive keys to new homes.” It should have been – “Received their official documents to their new homes.”