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Positive response to new housing initiative

On November 20, the application venue for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s Aided Self-Help Housing Programme formally opened. Over three hundred people flocked to the Couva Village Plaza, Lisas Gardens, Couva to submit applications for this new housing solution. Of those who attended, two hundred and fifty (250) completed applications were submitted; with the majority being applications from persons “without land” and desirous of being selected to purchase one of the one thousand available subsidised housing lots.

Through this programme, resident citizens (without land) who are over twenty-one years, can have an opportunity to purchase state land for 30% of the market value, access to subsidised mortgage facilities from the Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company, pre-approved house plans, and assistance for the construction of their dream homes. Resident citizens (with land) who require the state’s assistance, can also access subsidised mortgage rates and technical guidance from experts to assist them throughout the construction process.

In commenting on the positive response for the programme thus far, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Randall Minister indicated that he was not surprised by the turnout because initial reports indicated that over nine thousand forms were downloaded from the Ministry’s website and over one thousand forms were collected from the four advertised locations. He added that “while Government is unable to provide ready built homes for everyone on the Ministry’s application database who requires one,  we will continue with relentless pursuit to create innovative housing solutions so that the low and middle income earners in need, can access affordable housing solutions to provide safe and secure shelter for themselves and their families.” He also reminded all those who are interested in the programme that they ought “to read the requirements and guidelines of the programme carefully to avoid any delays in submitting their forms.”

Applications for this programme will be accepted during the period November 20, 2017 to January 12, 2018; Mondays to Fridays from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm and Saturdays from 8.00 am to noon at the Couva Village Plaza. For more information on this initiative, interested persons can visit www.housing.gov.tt, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s Facebook page or call 623 4663 ext 2202.

 

Applicants being attended to by the programme’s customer service representatives.
Some of the applicants queuing to submit their completed application forms