Another night in the open for evicted families

The housing settlement at Harmony Hall saw furniture and appliances on the road as people roamed about fixing and packing their belongings.

According to Godfrey Phillip, who was evicted along with his family, the government said it is in the process of receiving help but no one from HDC has offered them any assistance.

“I went to the office of Housing Minister Randal Mitchel and he told us to go to our MP with our problem,” Phillip said, adding that he told Mitchell he voted for change but instead he was getting a raw deal by having to live on the streets. He went on to say that he is currently employed and can pay for his home on a monthly basis but, he cannot wait ten and twelve years to get the keys for a house that he needs immediately.

Phillip slammed Social Development Minister Cherrie Ann Crichlow- Cockburn’s claim that the HDC buildings were declared structurally unsound. “Her reports are false as they are many other tenants occupying the buildings,” Phillip said. Crichlow- Cockburn said those who were squatting illegally will be given assistance.

“The Ministry has been in contact with one of the displaced residents who advised that he represents the 25 evicted families. He requested that counselling be provided to the families this afternoon and indicated that he would get back to the Ministry regarding other forms of assistance.” She said arrangements were made for officers of the National Family Services Division to visit the families on Wednesday afternoon.

In a previous report, Mitchell said those who were evicted were illegally inhabiting the buildings and any illegal occupier is liable to eviction. Mitchell claimed a number of buildings were declared structurally unsound and therefore unfit for occupation. The lawful occupants at the time were relocated between 2012-2014. The site was boarded up, locks were placed on doors and danger signs put on the building as well as signs of no trespassing.

Prince Dolly, who occupied one of the apartments that was deemed unfit, says his family now has nowhere to go and he is appealing to the Government to look into this matter and allow squatters to live in the apartment through the rent-to-pay system.

“My daughter Genesis is three years and I do not have any place to call home so therefore, I have to live on the streets,” he said.