78
225.
The first public draw for lots under the Land for the Landless Programme was
done in fiscal 2013, and five hundred (500) persons were selected to become potential
beneficiaries. The successful persons will become eligible to access funding under the
existing two per cent (2%) financing facility administered by the Trinidad and Tobago
Mortgage Finance Company Limited (TTMF) for the purchase of land as well as to
construct their homes. To assist beneficiaries of the Land for the Landless Programme to
purchase their lot of land, Government has approved a pricing policy for State lands,
whereby State lands will be leased for a period of one hundred and ninety-nine (199)
years, and the cost will include a premium plus an infrastructure cost per square foot.
226.
In addition, six (6) sites at Balmain, Beaucarro, Factory Road I, Orange Field II,
Waterloo I, and Felicity which had been partially developed by the Estate Management
Development Company Limited (EMBD), were transferred to the LSA for development
and distribution under the Land for the Landless Programme. These sites are expected to
yield a total of one thousand, four hundred and sixty-six (1,466) lots. The implementation
of this programme was executed at a cost of $35 million.
227.
In fiscal 2013, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) continued work on
the refurbishment of apartment buildings and remedial works on apartment complexes in
Port of Spain. Electrification works were completed on housing projects at Bon Air,
Cleaver Heights, Egypt Village, Diego Martin, La Horquetta, Malabar and Oropune.
Wastewater facilities at thirteen (13) sites located at D‟Abadie, Curepe, Diego Martin,
Sangre Grande, Valencia, Pleasantville, San Fernando, Tarouba and Point Fortin were
completed and are ready for adoption by the Water and Sewerage Authority.
228.
Evaluation of wastewater facilities at Cleaver Heights, Tarouba, Couva, Mayaro,
Mount Hope and Huberts Town continued, to facilitate their adoption into WASA‟s
central sewer system. Work also continued on the upgrading and maintenance of
apartment buildings in Powder Magazine, Ethel Street, Harding Place, Oleara Heights,
Trou Macaque, Roy Joseph Street, Paradise Heights and Maloney at a cost of $10
million.
229.
Disbursement of home improvement grants and emergency grants continued in
fiscal 2013 to assist needy persons with their housing needs, and to keep the country‟s
housing stock at an acceptable standard. Home improvement grants are provided to
eligible, needy citizens. The programme targets persons whose homes are in need of
repair or improvement, but because of their limited financial means, they are unable to
undertake the necessary works.
230.
Eligible persons can access the housing grant up to a maximum of fifteen
thousand ($15,000) per household, to undertake works which will contribute to improved
health, sanitation, safety and security or to alleviate overcrowding. In fiscal 2013, $25.0
million in the form of one thousand, one hundred and fifty-seven (1,157) grants were
disbursed.
231.
The emergency grant is provided to needy persons whose homes have been
severely affected by fire, natural disasters such as flooding, landslides, storms and
