New housing project for Silver Lake

Esther Belleau, chairperson of the Silver Lake Development Committee

Residents of Silver Lake are expressing their heart-felt gratitude to the government of Dominica, who pledge to construct a housing project in the area.

For over 32 years, Silver Lake residents have been living in deplorable living conditions since the passage of Hurricane David.

However, Honourable Minister for Housing, Reginald Austrie, announced last week that the Government of Dominica will soon be undertaking the much-needed housing project in the community.

“For a while now, the Government has been looking at the housing situation in Silver Lake. Just recently, the Minister of Finance and Prime Minister has made some $300,000 available for the construction of an apartment block building in Silver Lake. The land has been identified and we have a design. Right now, what we are doing is making a few adjustments to the design and I am hoping that by November this year, we can see work beginning on this very important housing structure for the residents of Silver Lak,” he said.

Present living conditions in Silver Lake

Hon Parliament Representative for that community, Ambrose George, explained to GIS News on Thursday how proposed project will benefit families there.

“After this facility is constructed, we will move the families in one of the longhouses who will then occupy the new facility. Thus, enable us to demolish the whole facility and rebuild. It is a first phase of a number in series of rebuilding and reconstruction that is to take place in the Silver Lake area,” he stated.

GIS News visited the Silver Lake community on Thursday, 1st September, 2011 to seek the reaction of residents to news of the impending project.

Esther Belleau, chairperson of the Silver Lake Development Committee, spoke on the behalf of the residents of Silver Lake.

“Oh, I think it is a blessing because most of my life I have been living here and the housing condition is very terrible. About two years ago, the Prime Minister came to look at the condition of the place and you could see the sadness on his face when took a look at all the homes to see the condition that families are living in; children, the roofs, the flooring, it is terrible. Tears were in his eyes and he promised us then that he would set us up. He would make the homes more comfortable. He would make living conditions at least to a level for the people of Silver Lake can accept,” she stated.

She continued, “These houses came about after Hurricane David. It was like an emergency building but for more than twenty-five years, people are living in these conditions and it is terrible: no water facilities, no toilets, some of the homes do not have electricity, most of the time, the families pray for only sun. So, I am very happy that they took a stand to come and renew the homes for the people.”

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38 Comments

  1. REASONING
    September 7, 2011

    I think te people in that area deserves proper housing condition,but above all thei state of mind and being needs to change.The government should not allow all of them to remain in the same area because the same culture and way of life will still remain in the environment,some of them should be relocated.The focus should be on creating a mixed community with people o different social background.With all these free housing promised or given to people bybthis government is not because they care,but it’s a way of putting money in their pockets corruptly through builders like Felix Thomas and their party cronies.

  2. PLANNED PARENTHOOD
    September 7, 2011

    MR PM WELL DONE, BUT U SHOULD PASS A LAW WHEN U HAND THEM THE KEYS….ALL WOMEN THAT LIVES IN ANY OF THE APRTMENTS, HAS TO ENROLL IN THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND TAKE BIRTH CONTROL….BECAUSE HOUSING ALONE IS NOT THE PROBLEM IN THAT PART OF TOWN….

  3. ty
    September 7, 2011

    I LIVE IN NYC….APARTMENT COMPLEX, WITH NO WORK=THE PROJECTS….ANYONE WHO LIVE IN OR NEAR NYC KNOWS WHAT GOES ON IN THE PROJECTS…CRIME, CRIME, CRIME AND DRUGS…PROVIDE THE PEOPLE WITH EMPLOYMENT MR PRIME MINISTER AND THE HOUSING PROBLEMS WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OFF, BECAUSE WHEN ONE WORK HARD TO BUILD THERE OWN HOME< THEY TAKE PRIDE IN IT, WHEN ITS HANDED DOWN THEY TREAT IT LIKE A DUMP….VISIT ANY FREE/ALMOST FREE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE US, OR TRINIDAD(CRIME)

    • latche jr
      September 7, 2011

      how long can u work to build a house if the governments befor had done that that is give them work they would be able to build houses for them selves now. government cant employ everybody. sir

    • Woodfordhill girl
      September 7, 2011

      Yes ma’am I hear you,and so should mr.PM,I have never and God forbid will never live inthose neighborhoods let alone raise children too much bad influence,I have lived in the USVI and Florida they’re all the same,so please mr PM find ways to create jobs for our people where they can be proud productive citizens,it’s mainly due to the lack thereof why most of us left our beautiful island,missing my country!!!!! :cry:

      • Sweetened Coffee
        September 7, 2011

        If You Missing Your Beautiful Island y Did You Leave y didn’t u stay n try to be productive mb you could off create jobs in the private sector instead of try’n to build someone’s else nation pple like allu jus running away n stay’n up dere n try’n to tell pple hw to the country at least the pm try’n n help d poor pple wat ar u doin to try n help ur pple back hme.????

      • ( NYC)
        September 7, 2011

        YOU PPL JUST SIT AND TALK TRASH..HOW CAN GOVERNMENT PROVIDE JOB FOR EVERYONE? SOME OF YOU SIT ON YOUR ASSES AND DEPENDING ON GOVERNMENT TO SPOONFOOD YOU ALL.WHEN THE GOVERNMENT GET FOREIGH PPL TO PROVIDE JOBS YOU ALL TALK NEGATIVE. IF ALL THESE BUSINESS PEOPLE WAS NOT SITTING DOWN ON THEIR MONEY INSTEAD OF INVESTING TO CREAT JOBS,DOMINICA JOB SITUATION WOULD BE BETTER.THE GREAT AMERICA HAS MORE POVERTY THAN ANY OF THE OTHER BIGGER COUNTRIES.YOU ALL ONLY KNOW OF THE GOOD,BUT AMERICA IS NOT WHAT YOU ALL THINK IT IS.TO THE IDIOT FROM WOODFORDHILL WHO CLAIL THEY LEAVE DOMINICA BECAUSE OF LACK OF JOB,I WANT YOU TO TELL ME WHICH COUNTRY PROVIDE JOBS TO ALL ITS CITIZENS.I LEFT DOMINICA 32 YRS AGO,DO YOU THINK AM GOING TO BLAME THE GOVERNMENT?I STILL MISS MY COUNTRY AND WISH I DID NOT HAVE TO LIVE MOST OF MY LIFE AWAY FROM HOME.STILL I HAVE NO REGRETS BECAUSE LIFE WOULD BE DIFFERENT.DOMINICA IS DEAR TO MY HEART,AND NO MATTER WHER I TAKE OTHER CITIZENSHIP,DOMINICA WILL ALWAYS BE NUMBER ONE.I WORK AND I SAVE IN MY SWEET DEAR DOMINICA LAND.IS TIME PEACE AND PETTY POLITICS TAKE A BACK SEAT,AND DOMINICAN NO MATTER POLITICAL AFFILLIATION SHOULD STAND TOGTHER AS ONE FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ISLE OF BEAUTY AND SPLENDER. PEACE!

  4. Thanking God
    September 7, 2011

    I think that this is a great step that the government is taking but it should not be the only step. After providing them with homes how are they going to maintain it? I can assure you that in little time these houses will start to diminish! I think they should provide both the young men and women with skills so that they are able to get jobs to maintain themselves and their children as well as their homes. How are the light bills going to be paid? Are tax payers money going to feed n maintain these people for the rest of their lives? I think not! The government needs to think way past just homes in order to build a thriving community!

  5. September 7, 2011

    just making alot of dam children and living in poverty<<< more they poor more they sex and make children ,, them the state have to support them,,,, keep allu legs close< get a hard working man with ambition and married,,, they always fall for the good looking lazy, no good guys

  6. Londonican
    September 7, 2011

    300K for an apartment block?? The average home cost about 150K so I am now wondering how BIG/SMALL are these going to be? Nice effort PM but if the people are unemployed they still won’t be able to pay thier bills hence the cycle continues. Don’t give them a fish, teach them how to fish. Nuff said!!

  7. Gurly
    September 7, 2011

    Gone are the days when people worked hard to build their homes….

    • Fairplay
      September 7, 2011

      Do, you are damned. Don’t Do, you are damned.

  8. Anonymous
    September 7, 2011

    I read some of the comments on this one with much interest. firs of all thanks to Just saying for correctly saying that Silver Lake DID NOT EXIST BEFORE HURRICANE DAVID. This is a fundamental lie that will lead us to trouble.

    Now lets look at the record of this Government when it comes to housing programs: Bellevue Chopin houses built and empty, same in Carib Territory and Hillsborough Gardens and 3/4 empty at Bellevue Rawle.

    These people in Silver Lake need employment in order to take care of their needs. Not a house handed to them. Who will pay their bills? Government? I say utter rubbish!! Government needs to be putting the enabling environment in place so that these people can work to earn their keep. The Bible reminds that “by the labour of your hands you shall eat”

    The PM kissing the Chinese butt too par too. Does he know of the famous Chinese proverb says “GIVE A MAN A FISH AND YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY; TEACH A MAN TO FISH AND YOU FEED HIM FOR LIFE”. Why then does the PM and his government not teach people to fish. This is a move calculated to keep this people in the bondage of poverty, for ever having to depend on government.

    Here is my proverb “I RAISE MY CHILD TO BE INDEPENDENT SO THAT WHEN HE GROWS UP HE WILL NOT BE DEPENDENT ON ME”

  9. ted lewis
    September 7, 2011

    Admin where Is my last post.

    Wikileaks. You so blind you cannot get it or uu think i was going to quote the ministers.that i Will not do because though we have contrasting views , they are my boys.
    In summary my comment means that while peopl e that are able to afford were benefiting from the program there a large # of poor and destitute individuals who should have been given first priority. When social programs are ill directed for political support then poverty will not Be alleviated.
    The PM made a promise two years ago and comes with 3oooo. I am saying had the wastage been avoided this 3ooooo could have been 6ooooo.

  10. justice to be served
    September 7, 2011

    Dominicans need housing with a bit of land to grow food and green vegetables to feed their families. Dominica have enough land for every Dominican family to be granted a piece of land to build a home an have a vegetable garden. We do not need apartments buildings and the social conditions which go with them. High unemployment and deprivation and drugs,leading to crime.300,000 is a very small sum, so what will be the standard of the apartment built.

    • Natasha
      September 7, 2011

      What are you stupid? where in the world does any government hand out peices of land to everyone? You folks just write crap and don’t think. Just to be negative you write senseless comments. The houseing idea is great, it is up to the individuals who are placed in them too try to make a better life for themselves and their kids. STOP BEING JUDDEGEMENTAL and if u have nothing goood to say go back to the drawing bored.. zehzeh

      • Woodfordhill girl
        September 7, 2011

        I will just as soon as you get your spelling straight

      • Natasha
        September 7, 2011

        Board** correctiom

        Judgemental** correction

    • Woodfordhill girl
      September 7, 2011

      Hats off to you @justice well said,I have been surfing tha internet for homes for sale in Dominica and the average home is 300k plus, so I would like to see how much “housing” 300,000 will provide our people,they are not chicken don’t build them your chicken coop,like someone rightly said there’ enough land to go around,why not provide the land and materials and involve the familiesto participate in building their own homes?but I already know the excuse “it can’t be done”there are enough foreign businessmen let them donate,that’s all I’m saying

      • Woodfordhill girl
        September 7, 2011

        I’m talking about foreign businessmen in Dominica!!!!

  11. desk22
    September 6, 2011

    good job

  12. Anthony P. Ismael
    September 6, 2011

    I love the idea of elevating the people of Silver Lake. The new buildings will help to uplift the area. I hope that there is job training for the occupants so that they can sustain their new living environment and help to maintain these homes. Additionally, $300,000.00 is a small sum for housing.

    • dominican
      September 6, 2011

      i just hope the drug men will be removed. new and better houses are good but a life fr the children is as important too; a drug free one .

  13. Ted Lewis ( possie)
    September 6, 2011

    If the residents of silver lake were gainfully employed their condition would have not been so bad.

    As much as i appluad the Prime Minister in his attemps to assits the residents of silver lake , he must realized where the crux of the problem is which is employment.
    This model of giving houses is not sustainable and the focus should be on creating sutainable jobs for the residents so they can take care of their familly.

    There are a lots of pocket of poverty all over dominica and a new building will help but not solve the problem.What the people want to do is to work. Yes the governmnet can’t provide work for everyone but its the government responsibility to create the climate that will attract the right type of investment ( both domestically and international) that will generate sustainable jobs for the people.

    • Ted Lewis ( possie)
      September 6, 2011

      I really have to come back because i am hoping that either one of the two Ministers and the more than 10 supporters who spend their saturday with me at Santa Maria ( i had a good short vacation thanks guys ),is reading this article and remembering our debates as related to the housing programs that in my opinion was not properly targeted and as a reslut failed to fullfill its main objective .

      If and only if the program were exucuted as a true social program and not a political program ( as describe or admitted by a prominent individual engage in our discussion)then just maybe more than $300000 would be availabe for the people of silver lake.
      Moreover if we had the funds that were used on houses and building material to individual that should have not qualify , ( based on household income, number of degrees & graduates in certain houshold, assets of household etc), the government would be in a better position to assist the resident of silver lake.It would have not taken the PM two years to come up with $300,
      000.
      Like i said , one day you guys will see what i talking about .

      • WIKILEAKS
        September 6, 2011

        What are you really saying…Please shut the door on your way out.

      • Anonymous
        September 7, 2011

        Wikileaks. Santa maria is located in portsmouth. Need i say who the two ministers were. BTW when i try explain to the ministers about the importance of targeting in executing a social program such as the housing program sponsored by venezuela , my explanation went to no avail especially with a crowd of 15 vs 1. Taking the portsmouth and cottage constituency together i have proof of# of individual with good jobs, young, familly has assets etc and yet still these person recieved building material prior to and after election while there are countless persons in greater need. I was made to understand two things not by the minister but other prominentperson in the crowd that 1) they have to take care of the party base and 2) its a political program (to take care of party suporters and not necessarily the poor . Now wikileaks if u want me quote the ministers respond then that may never hapen because despite the fact that i have contrasting political view with those two gentle men ,i am also their friend . I juSt want them to realized that some of the wasted funds could have now been available to assits insilver lake.

      • king man
        September 7, 2011

        Mr. Lewis, the 300k is base on the design that they were handed and seeing that changes are being made that figure would change as well.

      • Wait A Minute
        September 7, 2011

        Ted, stop patronizing yourself. You are not as intelligent as you think. Put a lid on your mouth boy!!

  14. Just Saying ...
    September 6, 2011

    The day before hurricane David – Silver Lake was a lime, guava, orange field next to the river. It was a fun area for me when I was a young teen.

    It became a “community” after folks squatted after the Hurricane … who owns the land? The planning division should have step in a long time ago .. Why not step in years ago and regularize … or find a more appropriate location … so when this article state that for over 32 years, Silver Lake residents have been living in deplorable living conditions since the passage of Hurricane David – that is wrong – it did not exit before David – Silver Lake exit because of David

    • Thought Provoking
      September 6, 2011

      The word is exist not exit!!! I’m just saying!!!

    • Just Saying ...
      September 7, 2011

      Thought Provoking – thank you. I will try to not have any more typos! Thank you again.

    • From Marigot
      September 7, 2011

      Can someone please tell me exactly where is Silver Lake?

  15. buwo
    September 6, 2011

    While they talking we working…..

    Thanks PM!!!!

    • Broward
      September 6, 2011

      What do you expect from the government. That is your tax money working for you. A government suppose to work, not just sit down in an a/c office having fine diners.

      It is good to see that they are working. And maybe Silverlake needs an elementary school.

      • Thought Provoking
        September 6, 2011

        I second that, is like a man saying “look i support my kids” it is you duty to support your kids you dummy!!! Governments are voted to work and develop the country

      • buwo
        September 6, 2011

        Exactly……that is why I don’t understand why many people are saying this government is the worst, they not doing nothing and all that crap. They even saying this administration is the enemy of Dominica.

        This government is using our tax money to develop this country and the majority of Dominicans are behind them.

        Once again, thanks PM!!!

    • blast me
      September 6, 2011

      doing what?

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