Josephs get keys to NHA apartment

FORMER heavyweight boxer Wendell Joseph and his 16-year-old daughter Eileen visited the National Housing Authority (NHA) yesterday, where they collected documents for their apartment. The documents were taken to their new landlord, who gave them the keys to the apartment. Joseph’s wife, Erica, was eagerly awaiting the return of her family at the Queen’s Park Savannah. The Josephs moved into their two-bedroom apartment yesterday in Port-of-Spain. Gervon Abraham, Communications Specialist at the NHA, assured the family that although some repairs still had to be done on the apartment, they would be able to move in that same day.

“As we speak, the apartment is being renovated. The family has all the necessities, running water and electricity and will be required to pay $100 per month rent,” said Abraham. Joseph told Newsday he preferred to keep the exact location of the apartment private, for security reasons. Unfortunately, the Josephs were harassed again yesterday by the same gang of thugs, who destroyed their tent and belongings on Monday. Joseph told Newsday the men visited them while rain was falling, demanding that the Josephs dismantle the tent.

Joseph and his family moved into the apartment at 5 pm yesterday, but still had one problem. “We have no furnishings for the apartment, no bed to sleep on, but we are thankful for a roof over our heads,” said Joseph. In a release, the Ministry of Social Services Delivery stated they have been offering temporary accommodation to the Joseph family since December 29, 2004. The offer included housing at a safe house for the mother and daughter, and night shelter for the father, until permanent accommodation was sourced. However, the ministry said the Joseph family refused the offer because they did not want to be separated during the night.