The first phase of public housing projects financed by Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment Programme has been handed over and will ready for occupancy in February after utilities connection.
According to a release, in September 2016, the Government of Dominica contracted Montreal Management Consultants Est (MMCE) and launched the Bellevue Chopin Housing Programme to benefit Petite Savanne residents displaced by tropical storm Erika which affected the island on 27th August 2015.
The Bellevue Chopin Housing Programme consists of 340 residential units and a 28-unit Commercial Complex. The Commercial Complex will be used as a daycare and early childhood education center, sports and recreation, shops and boutiques.
“The first batch of 125 residential units out of the 340 units being constructed at Bellevue Chopin to house 100 families, has been handed over to the government and will be ready for occupancy at an official ceremony in February after utilities connection,” the release stated.
The release went on to say that recently, the government launched new housing projects due to the passage of Hurricane Maria which devastated the island on September 18th 2017.
“In September 2018, the government signed a contract with Montreal Management Consultants Est. for building hurricane-resilient houses,” the release stated. “With the full support of the Government of Dominica, MMCE aims to offer equal housing opportunities to every resident of Dominica. In line with this, MMCE started developing five new housing projects at different strategic locations that cover the East Coast of Dominica.”
These housing projects are expected to benefit the communities of Castle Bruce, La Plaine, Delices, Grand Fond and San Sauveur. There will be two buildings for each location, and each building has nine one-bedroom units, 20 two-bedroom units, and four three-bedroom units, with a total of 330 apartment units.
The release said, the West Coast Housing Program As guided by the Build Back Better (BBB) concept, MMCE undertakes to develop resilient housing infrastructures for Dominica.
The West Coast Housing Project is located at Portsmouth; the second largest town in Dominica. It is divided into two separate projects, namely Phoenix City and Cotton Hill. MMCE expects to help over 300 families upon completion of these projects in 2019.
Georgetown will transform Portsmouth in August 2019. It is a multifaceted housing project with notable key infrastructures such as a new fire and police station, basketball and tennis courts, and other indoor sporting amenities. Furthermore, vital government offices such as Immigration and Traffic departments, Inland Revenue Division, the Sub-treasury and Registry departments as well as the Education and Sports divisions will be situated in Georgetown.
The release mentioned two phases of the Georgetown project which includes; 24 two-bedroom residential units and 44 three-bedroom residential units and the 2nd phase, 158 commercial and government units. The main structure will be built through modern architectural concepts and industry-best engineering practices, ensuring quality and granting Dominican people much-deserved peace of mind.
Another project mentioned is the Cotton Hill MMCE project which consists of 24 two-bedroom units and 44 three-bedroom units, built with modern and pristine design that complements the environment of Portsmouth.
“The Cotton Hill apartments will be constructed fully with reinforced concrete, impact resistant windows and solar water heating features. It will shelter 68 families upon its completion on November 2019,” the release revealed.
Also for Roseau, in its commitment to rebuild the overall well-being of Dominica, MMCE in collaboration with the Government of Dominica, will build a fully integrated community that offers comfort and convenience with sustainable infrastructure housing projects.
“Roseau City Square is a diverse housing project which consists of four state of the art lowrise buildings,” the release said.
Each building consists of the following:
- Block A – Four three-bedroom units, 20 two-bedroom units and 16 commercial units.
- Block B – Four three-bedroom units, 19 two-bedroom units and 19 commercial units. • Block C – Four three-bedroom units, 26 two-bedroom units.
- Block D – Four three-bedroom units, 19 two-bedroom units and 19 commercial units.
These buildings have been aesthetically designed to blend seamlessly with the surroundings of Roseau and, more importantly, withstand hurricane and seismic shocks.
The Roseau City Square is expected to be completed in November 2019.
An additional project named Roseau Riverwalk will also be developed in 2019.
“Today, the housing programme has evolved the quality of houses being built,” the release stated. “The new resettlement houses have been designed and are being constructed to withstand natural disasters. The government is continuously building fully integrated housing communities to cater to the needs of Dominican residents.”
Hello and good afternoon my people. First I must say that providing housing for people is a good thing but with all the open land we have why can’t they build single family detached or semi attached homes. My aunt have a home in bath estate which is detached and her home isn’t in danger of flooding from the Roseau River. I think people will have more at stake if their home is detached rather than being part of a housing complex because they will be responsible for maintaining their homes. Anyway am happy for the families that will receive an apartment.
I realize after all the disasters Dominica has suffered in the last few years, no one needs more help than the people of Dominica especially with some of these Job creating businesses up and leaving. But building free housing I don’t know. I’m I reading into the word free? Or will people be paying rent or buying their way into ownership. From what I know of human nature, they take more pride in ownership if these houses apartment are just given free of charge, Dominica will be creating its own ghetto ridden with crime. I hope I am wrong.
These apartment houses look very nice. And it is also useful that there will be a community complex, with shops, etc. to cater for the future occupants. But, aren’t most of the future occupants people who once lived in their own homes with their own gardens and plots of land, to cultivate whatever they wanted? I have seen no mention of a “community garden” facility, where those who wish can grow their own vegetables, flowers or whatever, not only for their own consumption but also to earn a little extra income.
Since apartment blocks seem to be the way of the future for housing in Dominica, for those who have lost their homes after TS Erika and H Maria, I really do believe that these developments should include planned gardening space allocated for people to continue those activities. And yes, parking. Not one of the “artist rendition” pictures shows any vehicle accommodation.
I want to live right through 2019 .
From these projects outlined i think 2019 is going to be longer than the usual 12 months . How long has the different hotel projects in Dominica Taken ? jungle bay ? Morocco ? , etc etc , the Roseau development , that was supposed to be the eye of the Caribbean ?the Project at Public works ? the re-building of the lost bridges , the river walls , the sea walls , the airport ? AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD OF THE COMPLETION OF SO MANY PROJECTS BY NOVEMBER 2019.
when you see we Dominicans tired swallow pills all of us walking about with huge tummies , like pregnancy is a style .
Somefing wrong , dreadfully wrong .
Promises are comfort ( to who again)
Moroccan taking 5 years and it’s still not finished
what a mess we’ve become my people. This country like it’s pseudo intellectual Bzness peeps, journalist clergy, police, health personnel is one BIG COMESS.
Where are all the former progressives gone? Am moving to Haiti as it has now occupied the penultimate position in the region..
Good to hear. I do hope there are ramps leading to these buildings incorporated in all these the designs, to accommodate the elderly and physically challenged. They like to build 7″ steps and deep uncovered drains knocking these new projects back into the 1950’s. So I hope they didn’t listen to the backwards folks on these accommodations.
I like what I have seen thus far. While we’re on infrastructural development on the island, what is the status of the Princess Margaret Hospital? It’s great to build new homes for the party loyalist, but what happens when they become ill? Where will they receive their health care from?
Probably from a ‘Chinese healthcare ship’ anchored permanently in the harbour. There will be a few doctors and nurses on there to keep the Fassade but it’s mainly Chinese soldiers living on there. You get my drift?
All I know the biggest winner from these resilient concrete houses is the person that owns the concrete company pouring all those metric Tons..
Dominicans can only see on the surface..and many don’t like to drink of that Integri-tea..
This Government continue to fleece the Country and pretend they doing the people a favour..SMH!!
Excuse me but isn’t customary to install essential services, such as utilities before starting construction? All that would be required then is to hook up individual consumers. They can do that more easily with water supplies of course as Dowasco is owned by the government but I’m not so sure Domlec will spend money up front if they have no assurance they wii get paid.
Who will pay the new resident’s electricity bill? And who will take care of sewage? I doubt these developments have septic tanks and I’m not aware they are connected to a central sewage system and treatment plant.
So where does the sewage go ?
Do you really think a housing project of this size would not allow for a sewage design , common man …
With the funding that is being made available for these projects we could have created a unique pattern of housing in harmony with Dominica’s environment; housing that would have made the rest of the world envious and future generations proud.
We have the land, we have the resources; what we sadly lack is the vision.
Please note: I am not saying that we should not build houses. What I am saying is that we deserve something better.
Your point is vague : you need to elaborate.
Politice will never ever please ever body, but one must be Man/Woman enough to call a spade a spade. what needed , is to keep tabs on how these Houses are distributed , those who are truly in need and can afford, regardless of party affiliation should be the ones occupying . Thats were checks and Balances plus transparency should reside. WAKE UP , WAKE UP .
Anyone has an idea of the agreement between the government and MMCE. Cause as far as we know MMCE Montreal Management Consultants Est. is a dynamic firm that provides the most outstanding and exceptional professional services for application for Immigration to Canada, USA, Economic Citizenship to Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis and other Caribbean Countries. So how does a immigration firm turn into housing Scheme development. Are these housing Schemes our cut for our passport sold by MMCE? Who Owns the housing scheme government or MMCE? Whats the Agreement nobody knows
Don’t get confused by the name of this company. As far as Dominica is concerned they are agents for our CBI programme, selling Dominican citizenships out of the UAE (United Arab Emirates).
Is that Linton jaloo.
@The Guard. Jaloo what. The monies are not coming from the fake DR DR PM pockets. You guys need to be educated and stop playing so much politics.
It is quite ironic that you stated ‘ stop playing so much politics’. You must be knew to this site or you must be suffering from amnesia.