New homes for 115 families in Mt Hope

Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Tuesday presented 115 recipients with keys to homes at the Mt Hope Housing Development at Breeze Avenue. The development consists of 26 two-bedroom apartments, and 26 three-bedroom apartments. While Dr Rowley said the occasion was a “happy” one, he warned of the need for a change in attitude for the housing development to be a success. The minister warned that too often, “bad behaviour is the order of the day in TT,” and there is now a need to focus on what is useful and relevant. He said when this is done, then TT could be a “paradise.”

Rowley said the National Housing Programme was aimed at improving the quality of life in TT, and it was also in keeping with Government’s Vision 2020 plan. He also said many social problems manifested themselves as a direct result of poor housing conditions and there was an aim by Government to provide better housing in an attempt to eradicate these problems. Dr Rowley said although the economy was prospering, the cost of building materials was on the increase, and demands were high. The question of final costs is therefore important, as Government attempts to absorb as much costs as possible. He warned, however, that Government was not simply “handing out” houses, but using a process that attempted to be as equitable as possible.