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Government promises to address housing needs after passage of Tomas

Contact: Shannon Lebourne

Friday 3 December 2010 –  The government of Saint Lucia says it will address the housing needs for citizens who were displaced and affected by Hurricane Tomas.

Communications and Works Minister Honourable Guy Joseph says government is exploring several options to provide assistance to people who lost the roofs of their homes and those whose entire homes were destroyed.

Minister Joseph says there is need for cooperation and patience from affected citizens.

“As a government we are providing building materials in some instances. There are a number of collaborating  agencies that will be involved in the process moving forward, but as the parliamentary representative in the constituency of Castries South East,  I have sourced housing material, some of which I have purchased myself because I need the affected residents to get back to their normal way of living within the shortest possible time.

“Some of the challenges for us as a government is identifying suitable locations because we don’t want to build houses for displaced citizens in an area where if there is another hurricane or bad weather, the problem is repeated.”

The Ministry of Housing, Physical Development and Urban Renewal has been mandated to identify and source suitable land for the relocation of affected residents.

Minister Joseph says the government of Saint Lucia is also deeply committed to the relocation of some communities which were adversely affected by the hurricane.

“We may not be able to return people to exactly what their lives used to be, but some level of assistance will be provided to start off new communities in new areas via some low cost housing. Well over thirty houses were completely destroyed in some communities around the island and some of these areas are still very vulnerable,” Joseph said.

Communications and Works Minister  and MP for Castries South East – Hon. Guy Joseph.

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