– to target low-income earners
The Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be launching its core house pilot project as the agency continues its mission to provide access to affordable housing and ensure that all prospective beneficiaries’ needs are met.
Speaking to media personnel Tuesday at the Ministry of Housing and Water, Brickdam, officials from the agency provided an overview of the progress of the project, a component of the US$27.9M Second Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS).
Under this Programme, which was launched in June 2009, several housing schemes will be developed. It is expected to improve low-income families’ access to enhanced living conditions through housing solutions and access to house lots.
Chief Executive Officer, CH&PA, Myrna Pitt, who provided an update of the project, said that the agency has ongoing works in five areas: Ordnance/Fortlands Phase Two, Tuschen Phase Two, Lusignan B and squatter areas: Binkey Alley and Sophia B.
She noted that there are six other areas that would come on stream shortly, and these are Ankerville, Region six, Area R and Block Five Eliza and Mary, Block EE Non Pariel, West Minster Phase One, and Tabatinga in Lethem, Region Nine.
The CEO stated that the other component, which includes the strengthening of the Authority, is on stream and is going quite well.
“We have a large training programme with several officers currently being trained at the master’s level,” she said.
The second component will be implemented shortly in the hinterland.
“We have started that as a pre-pilot which will be conducted during May. There is also the housing improvement pilot, the partnership pilot, and the core house pilot,” Pitt highlighted.
Turning to the implementation of the core house pilot, the CEO said that the pilot targets allotees in new and existing schemes and that it will be implemented shortly.
“On Sunday we hope to hit the press with advertisements for this pilot and we would want to explain in a little more detail what this pilot means,” she explained.
Pitt noted that essentially the programme has budgeted US$2.2M which will be used to construct 400 core houses (starter houses)
Beneficiaries
Persons who do not have the wherewithal to approach financial institutions to build a home are targeted to benefit.
Alluding to certain design principles under the programme, the CEO pointed out that the agency will be supplying the starter unit which would be outfitted with a multipurpose sink, a toilet and bath area and septic tanks with plumbing and electrical fittings. The houses will be constructed with concrete and timber walls which will lend to further housing expansion.
“The core house lends itself to expansion as the beneficiary family can afford it ,”  she explained.
The CEO further highlighted that project will target persons who are allotted house lots in existing schemes and who have not yet built, as well as persons who might be occupying buildings that can be replaced by core homes.
Advertisements for the core houses will be publicised for a period of six weeks from May 23rd, and applications will be made available from May 24th in the areas that have been selected, Pitt said.
“In all we are looking to construct approximately 113 houses in these areas. And the advertisement will be quite specific and detailed to ensure that the beneficiaries will know where they have to obtain their application forms and what they need to submit on these forms,” the CEO emphasised.
Housing Improvement programme
In addition to the core house pilot project, Pitt noted that the agency will also be implementing a housing improvement pilot in existing schemes. This pilot will accommodate the improvement of 400 units within existing schemes.
“We will be going through a process of advertisement similar to the core house. We will also be doing similar outreach programmes in communities to sensitise and inform them of the housing improvement pilot,” she said.
The pilot will focus on improving existing units which can be improved. The programme will see the Ministry spending approximately $200, 000 to repair or improve an existing unit.
It was noted that core houses will not be developed in squatting areas but the agency will be upgrading and improving infrastructure in squatting areas.
Eligibility
Meanwhile, Land Development and Administrative Manager, (CH&PA), Denise King-Tudor, who provided details on  application for the core houses, noted that the pilot targets only low-income allottees and those with a monthly household income not exceeding $60,000.
She pointed out, however, that applicants must have an allocation within one of the schemes since the houses will be constructed on the lot that is allocated.
In addition, applicants who have completed payments for their houselots should indicate their interest in participating in the programme. The interested applicants should have procured or have in process their certificate of title or transport.
The lots allocated to applicants are vacant, or applicants who are currently living in buildings that are structurally deficient or that have to be replaced are eligible, Tudor said.
She said that successful applicants must contribute an equity share of $100,000 towards the core house.
“Successful applicants must be ready to pay in full for the land immediately or within a specific time period that will be indicated to them, and also they are required to pay their equity share of $100,000 towards the core house. Selected applicants must occupy the core house within one month of its completion,” Tudor emphasised.
Applicants are advised to carefully read the information provided and complete application forms properly and return them within a specific time-frame given along with the required document. Assistance will be provided at the regional level and by regional housing officers.
Tudor urged persons who have not constructed on their lots and who have been occupying low standard buildings to utilise the opportunity to acquire their home.
Comprehensive communication strategy
Community Development Specialist, Donnelle Bess-Bascom, noted that the CH&PA recognises the need to ensure that beneficiaries are aware of the options and opportunities that are available.
As a result, she said the agency has put together a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure that low-income allottees who have not occupied their lots, persons who are living in low standard houses within schemes, and persons with offer letters can be fully informed as to the option of the core houses.
She stated that the agency will be utilising both the print and electronic media, posting fliers at public buildings, and seeking direct contact with the potential beneficiaries through mailing information directly to their homes.
Community meetings will also be conducted with persons to further clarify and answer questions that they may have and assist with the filling out of applications.
Bascom pointed out that local government agencies will also be involved in the process where meetings would be conducted with the Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils so that everyone can have a role to play in the development of their respective communities.
She highlighted that persons uplifting their application forms must have some form of identification and their allocation letters. Persons who have received offer letters or allocations are urged to present their documents to the respective regional or housing officers who are stationed in the areas.
Tuesday’s press briefing also saw presentations by Development Plann
er, Germene Stewart, on design details and principles of core houses, and  Senior Engineer, Fazal Wahab, and developmental works slated for housing areas.
(GINA)