Portsmouth housing project to be completed next month – Ian Douglas

Artist’s impression what George Town apartments will look like when they are completed. Image taken from MMCE website  

Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth constituency, Ian Douglas has said the recipients for the housing project in Portsmouth have already been selected and submitted to the Prime Minister and Housing Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

The first 68 rooms in the Georgetown Portsmouth housing project are expected to be completed by next month.

“The recipients will be receiving their letters. We’ve had I would say, about 120 applicants and they’ll have the first 68 apartments ready pretty soon because the structures are already finished. We have forty four, three bedrooms and I believe about twenty three, two bedroom apartments which will literally be ready by August,” Douglas stated.

The parliamentary representative said they have already gone through all of the applications and made the selection of people who will be occupying the apartments. He said they have submitted that to the Prime Minister who has passed it on to his permanent secretary who will write to the first set of recipients so that the apartments can be made available to them.

Douglas said after the first 68 apartments have been allotted, there will be more apartments under construction which the government expects to hand over before year-end based on how work is progressing.

Douglas also spoke of the demography which will be targeted to receive the houses.

“We have a lot of young persons, up and coming who just left high school or just coming back from university, just went to the college, just starting off their family and they are still living at their mother’s home or their parents’ house and they would like their own place. That is the kind of demographic that we’re trying to reach out to,” he explained. “We have a lot of elderly persons also that really cannot afford housing and some of them, their homes got destroyed by Hurricane Maria and this is the ideal kind of residential setting for that kind of demographic, so we are very happy for that.”

Douglas was part of the cabinet tour to Portsmouth on Wednesday led by the Prime Minister.

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44 Comments

  1. Sandy Hodge
    August 14, 2019

    Some of us have left home and gibe overseas to make a better living. It seems like we are forgotten and disregarded by our very own.
    May I remind our people that the little we send back home contributes to the economy therefore it should not be taken lightly.
    A word of advice….be always open to listen to otgers especially your own people. Return calls and show some concern. We also have a voice and a vote.

  2. Zammm
    July 9, 2019

    You see this group of useless so called government n Ian.. Very soon Dominicans willl be eating, drinking, walking on, swimming in, working in paying there bills with, going to the bank with a house in their hand. Oh they will have Mobile houses. You guys failed for 15 odd years, no airport for years, Ross gone Barbados, poverty on the rise, life is hard yet you pushing house house house to fooll poor 🇩🇲s. You guys so disrespectful as if it’s the first time Dominicans see house. How dear that you guys take the country’s funds n embarrass 🇩🇲a? You guts love to have Dominicans bow n kiss you alll feet. So please get out of here, n go find God…. The whole world is watching n is with uwp.. Time for change.. Skerritt family party n dlp must goooooooo.
    Boy what is drown with Portsmouth people n dem Dominicans supporting labour? Don’t you guys know that Dominca is the most backward in Caribbean? Get dat mad government out…

  3. Harvey
    July 8, 2019

    DNO please do some investigative journalism and inform the nation on the following:
    1. What is the cost of these apartment buildings?
    2. Are the apartments given free of charge or the recipients have to pay?
    3. How many of these apartment buildings that are being constructed all over the island?
    There are more pertinent questions to be asked but let’s start with this basic ones, which should not offend anyone, after all, citizens have a right to an answer.

  4. Frank N Stein
    July 8, 2019

    Skerit sheep get angry when people call them sheep but they do act like sheep. Tell me, wouldnt you prefer that the money was used to open the coffee factory or turn it into some canning factory so that the farmers, small business and others would be employed and making money? We have plenty land in DA belonging to the govt, that land could be sold to working people for a lot less, so they can build homes and walk with pride because its their own sweat? How about teh abbatoir? Livestock farmer, labourers, entrepreneurs would be employed. This is how the UWP plan to create jobs in a short time. With people working there will be no need for red clinic. We would have few unemployed and destitutes so a working welfare system would take care of them and the elderly paid for by our taxes from the jobs created. Isnt that better than red clinic begging and spending millions in concrete for so many people. that is a waste of money and will only turn us into beggars and dependent citizens.

  5. Lin clown
    July 7, 2019

    BlueBugs,people do not leave DOMINICA because things are BAD.They leave because they BELIEVE things are better on the other side.A large number of people who left DOMINICA wish they were back home.Most Dominicans own there own house,very few people RENT.New York for ,e g,most Dominicans live in appartments.Minimum wage in America is $ 7.25.A small two bedroom,small kitchen,small sitting room,and a cannot turn in washroom in New York is between $ 1,200-$ 1,500 a month,or $ 300- $ 375 weekly.A large number of Dominicans living in America are way,way worse off than us in Dominica.When those lazy,lying,UWP TRAITORS betray their country they MUST pay by VOTING against them next election.

  6. Believe or not
    July 7, 2019

    Boy o.k. Boy unemployment is so high in Portsmouth.when you give some people house where’s the jobs to pay the bills and to buy food stupsoo!,People does eat house nor…
    Here Ian coming with his tricks again.
    Ask Ian where”s the jobs for Portsmouth people,neighborhood villages people and the Haitian people in Portsmouth.
    Portsmouth people should vote these guys out.

    • Smh
      July 8, 2019

      I am going to write a recipe book 📖 ‘100 ways to eat your apartment’ :lol:
      Douglas how you want to give young healthy people apartments rather than providing employment for them? Do you think they will automatically vote for you? You are fooling yourself.

  7. RandyX
    July 7, 2019

    Ian, are you sure the project is being finished on time? Or will it be delayed like your own little housing project? Both of course being financed by Skerrits private enterprise CDPFC Inc. (Cheap Dominican Passports For Crooks). You must be well vex with your Master!? All of them are getting and you are left out again.

  8. DAPossieMasse
    July 6, 2019

    Does anyone understand what the introduction of that type of living condition breeds? Watch out because the next housing skims will come with basements.

    Dat is nothing like housing for Ross students. Who will maintain it?

    It takes away from one’s independence, as has already been done by the Red Clinic and Government assisted workers.

    Anytime people are grouped together like this, is a recipe for criminal behavior. Are going to provide some form of security? In New York, for almost every Project built, there is a police station within a ten block vicinity, because they expected a spike in criminal activity.

    At what length will these fellas go to keep Dominicans blind and hungry?
    When will these fellas stop the practice of keeping people oppressed and not provide work.

    Clearly, Dominicans leave the country and go to Monserrat or the Saints, and immediately they have to find work, and they work.

    As soon as they go back to Dominica, the Labour Party laziness…

  9. July 6, 2019

    Yes I know ever one would like to have their own home with a yard where they can plant a little something but think of it most young people today when they start working save a little money buy nice clothes buy a car now by that time you get to 50 or more this apartment should be a start for you and your family when you can afford you can move out and get your own I started working @ 16 years old for $100.00 living with my dad doing all kind of other little things I can get washing cars on Lindo park learning to do body work on cars @20 got married @ 21 got my first house from the government paying little payment monthly when I could u double the payment it was 2 bedrooms but mow its 4 bedrooms and paid for in 10 years now I am 73 years old I can say I made a start so people does not have to stay there for ever if you are able pass it on to another family and move on its a cycle its a help in the right direction.

  10. AP George
    July 5, 2019

    Roger, I was just thinking of the same thing reading this article. This Ian guy is a laughing bag.

    • Calibishie Warrior
      July 6, 2019

      “This Ian guy is a laughing bag”.. Tell that to the 80 year old woman from Glanvillia whose children have adandoned her and who lost the roof of her porte chambre in Maria? SMH

      • Frank N Stein
        July 8, 2019

        you know well these homes will NOT go to the 80yr old lady but to young strong people who should have been working and providing for themselves, just like Chance and all the rest. At the end of the exercise the old lady will still be without the roof of her pot charm, unless Samaritan purse helps her out.

    • Joseph John
      July 8, 2019

      Well the people who will get the houses will be laughing merrily all day and all night long.
      Why are you guys so hateful. Why don’t you want to see people in homes ? This is beyond comprehension. What has happened to our good nature ? Who or what is twisting us.

      • Frank N Stein
        July 9, 2019

        What has happened to our pride, this is what we should be asking. Years gone by 90% of people in Possie owned their homes with their sweat and brow. The present masquerade of a govt breaking people’s legs and giving them bichie and you want us to jump for joy? We know is your cool out you talking for here on DNO carry on. Cuz if is not that you are an idiot of the worse kind not to see what is happening, take your pick.

  11. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    July 5, 2019

    A public private partnership would be far more effective to help alleviate the housing crisis in Dominica. Selecting a few party loyalist to be bequeathed with new homes at the tax payer’s expense is the wrong way to go. How will persons pay for these homes if they do not have any jobs? I guess they will visit the Red Clinic, where Alms will be handed out from Scotts Head to Portsmouth.

  12. Flat Tire
    July 5, 2019

    Well is now porstmouth people will get on their knees and worship their pm and laba.i mean they get fridge and matress now house? Papamete well all they missing now from the goverment is panties ,slidas ,Roll on and cooking gas

  13. Roger Burnett
    July 5, 2019

    “We have a lot of young persons…(who)…would like their own place.”

    This is true throughout the world and has been throughout history. But the best way of achieving a house of your own, and of your own choosing, is to work for it.

    • Joseph John
      July 5, 2019

      Well I guess those who inherited house and property should give it up because they did not work for it.

  14. LifeandDeath
    July 5, 2019

    Vote Out Ian!!..Show the world that Domincans ain’t no fools..If u don’t perform, we vote u out.
    Hope Dominicans realize that their tax dollars will go towards the upkeep of all this stock of public residences, for which only a few hand picked ppl will enjoy because of simple party affiliation..

    • Joseph John
      July 8, 2019

      Who is the replacement you expect.

      • Oh JosephJohn! What a failure you are
        July 10, 2019

        If after 20 years a constituency who has had an inactive unaccomplished Parl Rep cannot find a replacement dont you think there is something wrong with the govt? Isnt it the govt responsibility to create an environment of growth? JosephJohn DNO troll you are here day in day out trying to defend nothing. We know is your cool out job but you can at least make it make sense we, give it a little dignity. The things you say reflect badly on the govt you are trying to defend. If there is nothing bettter than the calibre of Ian, it means that nonentities are voting labour so what does that say about labour? Wow man, you need a reality check. Think before you post. Meanwhile Linton is looking at his team and saying he can see many prospective leaders among him. the dunce drop out is able to select a better team than the fake Doctor lol :mrgreen:

  15. Gouvelma
    July 5, 2019

    Why is the parl rep and cabinet minister so deeply involved in the selection of occupants and distribution of the apartments. This is too important a decision to be dressed in politics. Why wasn’t a committee selected and given the mandate to do due diligence on the most deserving applicants? So today someone doing dirty work for Ian Douglas can demand his “cool out” in the form of an apartment. Is that how clouded we have become that political affiliation will be the deciding factor as to who sleeps comfortable and who sleeps on the cold, hard concrete!?!?!? The parl rep should be far removed from the process. If it is absolutely necessary that that he has a say in the process it should not be his decision alone. What perfect opportunity for Ian Douglas to attempt to make himself appear decent! He has been a failure and distributing the houses to political hats can only do good for him. It probably is the life line to his political career.

  16. dissident
    July 5, 2019

    dat looking like some $5000 apartments on Park venue Manhattan NY.
    Dem tricksters working de minds of de i want my share and cool out.
    de final product will not be de artist’s impression in de photo above
    dem windows are not the style of de chinese company in Fond cole.
    i want to see de chandeliers and whirlpool bath tubs too

    give me break

  17. foreign observer
    July 5, 2019

    Hey DNO, how about you send someone up there to take real photos of this apartment complex? It would be interesting to see what state they are really in (i.e., occupancy next month). Not to mention their resemblance to the artist’s rendering above.

    Thanks!

    ADMIN: Thank you. We will do, once we are able.

  18. Gouvelma
    July 5, 2019

    DNO are you into politics? I expected unbiased news from you and not that you become spokes person for a political party. Why do I ask that? I just read the very same story from EMONews. The difference though is that EMONews presented an up to date picture of the actual construction site. You on the other hand produced a computer generated artist impression of the site. Yes, that would have been ok at the ground breaking. However the government is playing politics and saying that the apartments will be available next month. That should spur your journalist to give us at the moment pictures. Did they visit the site when the minister made his tour? If they did where are the pictures taken or are they just reporting from a third party? We need the truth at all times. Ian Douglas failed his constituents so badly he now sees those apartments as an opportunity to redeem himself with his constituents. Then when you do not give us up to date puctures his political gimmickry goes far and wide.

    ADMIN: There was a miscommunication about the time of the visit.

    An official source told us of the time of the visit then that same source informed us that message was a miscommunication then we did not receive any further information, hence why we have no pictures. EMO is located in Portsmouth which may have made it easier to attain on site photos.

    • Joseph John
      July 8, 2019

      @Gouvelma, DNO is not the culprit in this case. They did no wrong. The issue is the many negatives posters full of hate which suggest that there is a group of individuals with the sole mission of destroying Dominica’s aspiration to work for national housing for all. Why ?
      No explanation was needed about the type of picture used. The report had all the salient facts.

  19. TJ
    July 5, 2019

    Congratulations for improving the housing situation in DA. Maybe for future housing maybe Individual housing. I think it is more in keeping with our cultural needs. Once again congratulations .

  20. We want work
    July 5, 2019

    There is a Chinese proverb that says, ” give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.
    There are people in our community who are unable to or find it extremely difficult to provide a home for themselves such as the elderly, the sickly, some diabled people, struggling single parents and others which may be a combination of the afore mentioned. It is our government’s duty to provide homes for them. If that is what you have done, thank you. However, our government should seek to provide GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT for the rest. Our people need jobs Mr. Douglas. We want to work and provide homes for ourselves. We want to go back to our farms, build us facilities for agro processing, get us markets for our crops. You can make it happen.

    • Joseph John
      July 5, 2019

      There is a saying that says feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless. It is ironic that the same people who are always fussing about China is quoting the Chinese. Typical uwp duplicity.

      • Hedda
        July 9, 2019

        So you saying that dominicans are hungry ..thirsty and homeless under the DLP.. wow you finally open your eyes..

  21. Lagoon
    July 5, 2019

    This statement from a man who allegedly has a college education. How pathetic!!!! Geezus!!

  22. Lin clown
    July 5, 2019

    DNO wrote an article about the Marigot Hospital.When will DNO write one about the RISE and FALL of the LAYOU 5 STAR HOTEL.These people will post any and everything BAD against the Government and its supporters.

    • huh?
      July 5, 2019

      So…you’re saying these Georgetown apartments is something bad? :(

    • Joseph John
      July 6, 2019

      The government and its supporters should pay closer attention to DNO. That way they will know what the enemies of state are posting. Then turn all the negatives into positives. The uwp incompetence is well represented in what their few followers post. They are ill informed and value scandal more than facts. They think they are taking the silent majority for a ride. For instance they post all kinds of stuff about DLP campaigning in Antigua a sister island , but they had an Antiguan on their political platform belching blue bubbles. The uwp was in the USA recently and now the are advertising that Clement Marcelin will be in New York and New Jersey campaigning this month. They keep displaying their duplicity and double standard, then turn around and call people liar.
      People can see the housing revolution in focus inspite of Mathew, Erica and Maria, but they are walking with eyes closed pretending new houses do not exist.Then express all kind of negatives about them. DUPLICITY.

      ADMIN: The government and their supporters already follow DNO.

      • Joseph John
        July 7, 2019

        It is good to hear that the government is paying close attention to DNO, I guess I was mistaken. Sorry. I guess I was led by my decision to ignore contributors who are consistently repulsive. Those who disagree with me without the insults are very informative in letting me see the other side of the picture, so I learn from them, but those who are rude I stop reading. . Sorry
        In the uwp’s negative postings they expose their incompetence, their lack of values, respect, ethics and vision. In their postings I see only attributes of talking heads, obstructionism and terrorism. And DUPLICITY.

  23. bvb
    July 5, 2019

    Houses for votes

    • Joseph John
      July 7, 2019

      Houses are houses in any form, manner or manifestation. They are homes and far better than the ky pie (one room grass huts ) without water, toilets lights or roads etc.

  24. Hedda
    July 5, 2019

    “The parliamentary representative said they have already gone through all of the applications and made the selection of people who will be occupying the apartments. ”

    Noel if that does not expose the level of politics in the selection process then I don’t know again.. these guys are choosing who to give the apartment..any uwp persons who apply will never get an apartment…. wicked set of people

    ““We have a lot of young persons, up and coming who just left high school or just coming back from university, just went to the college, just starting off their family and they are still living at their mother’s home or their parents’ house and they would like their own place. That is the kind of demographic that we’re trying to reach out to,” he explained.”

    Now if that is not madness then I don’t know.. These guys goin to give apartments to young people who came out of university who should be working hard to build there home???? No boy that is madness!!

    • Joseph John
      July 6, 2019

      I am confused. uwp people are saying that when our young people graduate overseas they do not return because they have nothing to come back to but….( the rest is so obvious , no explanation needed )

  25. Frank N Stein
    July 5, 2019

    So people just come from college and university will not be able to get jobs to build their own homes? Hmmm I see, contain them! soon we will all be living under the government and we will have to keep our mouths shut.

    I notice everytime a bomb burst on skerrit party they coming with a PR trick eh lol.

    • Joseph John
      July 7, 2019

      If they already have homes they can focus on self employment where they can put their education to practice and grow the private sector. This is not madness. They can organize to work at home as a start up.
      Madness is the behavior of the uwp who get paid every month for doing nothing. They have homes, transportation and access to land and income, but they sit and just talk, talk and talk. People are seeing through their manipulations I hope you will soon see it too. This is positive, this is progress, this is providing jobs in the building sector. People build homes. Madness does not. Madness talks but never do.

      • Frank n Stein
        July 8, 2019

        Joseph John madness is you trolling DNO like a paid hack. The sad thing is you are beginning to believe the coshonie you peddling. Its a good thing only you believing it.

        • Joseph John
          July 8, 2019

          @ Stein. The biggest madness is you reading my coshonie. You can skip Joseph John anytime, but you and the whole uwp gang cannot stop me. You all cannot stop the truth about you all misbehavior and malcasa 5th grade unmannerly ways.
          As far as I understand it DNO is running a democratic business and is not trying to control public expression so I can post indefinitely. I have the time. You have no say in how I spend my time. You are like those fast granny clocks of long ago that you had to wined. Tic Toc. A guy in Houston said you were not paying to repair you car and could not pay for the land that you are trying to buy at Mero, so you are trying to get a free one in Dominica. You cannot get it so you are going mad. They say extremely mad people think everyone else is mad but themselves. Wow look commess. I am not even going to talk about child support yet. But keep tempting me.

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