After much tears, HDC house fit to occupy

After 32 years, I finally got the call I longed for from the HDC. Not for the house I wanted and waited patiently for and believe I deserved, but all the same a place to call my own. I am grateful but it was not smooth sailing.

The unit I received was beautiful but it stripped me of every ounce of dignity I had. I cried (58 years old and gainfully employed).

No one should be lawfully handed keys to a unit in the condition the house was in.

There was no reassurance forthcoming from the HDC that the situation would be rectified.

As a matter of fact I received a takeit- or-leave-it letter from the corporation, to which I had to respond “yeah” or “nay” within eight days.

With the exception of one particular member, the staff I had to interact with was indifferent to my cry for help. It was just a matter of “next”. I am too ashamed to outline the condition of the house to which I refer. I am also very ashamed of the many times I broke down and cried publicly and privately.

At the key distribution, in desperation I “forged” a way to take my issue to the minister who referred me to the chairman, Newman George, who in turn referred the matter to someone else. I did receive a call from th HDC the next working day but after four days and no action, I imposed myself on George and the rest is now for the records.

George should be renamed “Human George”. The man is firstly courteous, understanding, humble, and truly caring. He could have insulted me for imposing myself on him the way I did, but he did not do so. He assured me he would take personal responsibility for my matter and, seven days later, I look forward to moving into my new home. To God be the glory.

Even if there is a missing link in the allocation policies and procedures, the staff must be able to stand in the gap. I understand their exuberance to meet the prescribed quota.

I, like many others, am grateful for their commitment to doing what they do but for goodness sake they must temper their exuberance with compassion and understanding.

They don’t have far to look for exemplary leadership.

It took a professional contractor with five helpers and a plumber seven days to rehabilitate the unit that was handed to me. Thank you, George.

A Davidson Morvant