Yesterday’s mid-morning handover ceremony in Bellevue Chopin brought renewed attention to the scale of the Housing Recovery Project, as government officials outlined the financial commitments, land regularisation work, and construction milestones that have shaped one of the island’s largest post-Maria initiatives. Residents gathered with project staff, engineers, and local contractors as another group of families received keys to newly built resilient homes, adding to hundreds already completed across several communities.
Funding Allocations and Land Title Regularisation
The Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and the Digital Economy confirmed that the World Bank-funded programme has remained central to the national housing agenda. Parliamentary Secretary Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite reminded attendees that “Over 69 million has been disbursed for the construction of resilient homes under the World Bank-funded Housing Recovery Project. 368 houses have been built under the project so far.”
The land ownership issue had stalled progress for many families, particularly in rural communities where generational land use often occurred without clear legal documentation. Under the project, 170 families received regularised land titles at no cost, with the state covering the surveying and registration fees. Officials noted that without those interventions many households would have been unable to qualify for construction assistance.
Upgraded Grant Support for Beneficiaries
The Parliamentary Secretary also explained how funding levels were revised to meet construction standards required for storm-resistant housing. “At the beginning, each beneficiary was to receive only $50,000. But that was not enough to build secure, comfortable homes that met our resilience vision. With the leadership of the Prime Minister, we revised the grant upward to $141,000, with final units costing $151,000.” The adjustments ensured that completed units met engineering requirements for stronger roofs, improved structural framing, and adequate interior space for families.
Government Perspective on Long-Term Housing Policy
Representing the Prime Minister, Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre highlighted the human impact of the programme, telling the gathering that “When we speak about development in this country, we are not speaking about abstract concepts. We are talking about families having a safe place to sleep at night. We are talking about mothers no longer worrying about the strength of their roofs or the stability of their walls. We are talking about children able to study, elders able to live peacefully, and individuals able to focus on their goals because their basic need for safe shelter has been met.”
He added that although the project officially closed earlier this year, the outcomes continue to benefit communities. “These 22 homes form part of the thousands of housing interventions delivered by this administration over the past several years. They represent thoughtful planning, responsible governance, strategic investment in the well-being of our citizens.”
Local contractors Ronan David, Sherman Boster, and Yankee Oliver were recognised for their contributions, with ten others expected to be acknowledged during upcoming handover ceremonies.
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