NHA denies throwing out couple

THE EDITOR: The NHA is refuting allegations made against the organisation in a Newsday article captioned “NHA throws out couple”. This was written by news reporter Lennox Forde and published on August 24, 2003.

These are the facts:
On March 10 2000, Mr Lionel Reid, tenant of Building No 2, Apartment No 3-5, Almond Drive, Lady Young Road, Morvant, requested a transfer of accommodation to another apartment in Port-of-Spain due to the death of his wife, and the fact that his children all attended school in Belmont. On Friday August 10, 2001, the Allocation Committee approved the transfer of Mr Reid from Building No 2, Apartment No 3-5, Almond Drive, Lady Young Road, Morvant to Apartment F, Building No 58-60, George Street, Port-of-Spain. On October 17, 2001, Mr Reid submitted a sworn affidavit with the members of his family listed as follows: Stephanie Collingwood, common-law-wife; Krystal Reid, daughter; Paul Collingwood, son; and Gershwin Pierre, son. At no time, either verbally or in writing, did Mr Reid make mention of Ms Deane Loraine and/or Mr Kevin Townie, as being members of his family. By our letter dated March 26, 2002, Mr Reid was reminded that allocation of Apartment F, Building No 58-60, George Street, Port-of-Spain is subject to the prior return of keys (to the Authority) for Building No 2, Apartment No 3-5, Almond Drive, Lady Young Road, Morvant. Mr Reid later complied and returned the keys for the apartment in Morvant to the Rental Administration Department in April, 2003.

On April 29, 2003, approval was granted by the Executive Director, Mr Noel Garcia, for Ms Michelle Mc Nicol-Edwards and her family to be re-located from her bedsitter unit to the said apartment. Subsequently, Ms Mc Nicol-Edwards informed that she was unable to take up residence because the apartment was occupied. Investigations conducted by the Authority revealed that the unit was in fact being occupied illegally by Ms Deane Loraine and Mr Ken Townie. They were informed that the apartment was already allocated and that they were required to immediately vacate the unit. On May 29 2003, Ms Loraine pleaded with the Authority and was allowed two weeks to obtain alternative accommodation and vacate the apartment. She agreed and made a written commitment to that effect. Meanwhile, Ms Mc Nicol-Edwards persisted with her demand for the apartment allocated to her by the Authority. All requests by the Authority for Ms Loraine to vacate the apartment failed and a final notice was issued on June 17, 2003, which was also ignored. Finally, the Authority instructed the bailiff to retrieve the apartment which was carried out on July 15, 2003.

LENORE JOSEPH
Communications Manager
National Housing Authority