Windsor Park NHDT clients get concrete houses

(CNS): Despite the problems surrounding the National Housing Development Trust (NHDT) Affordable Housing programme, the latest finished homes were handed over officially to 26 new homeowners last week. Following some major re-construction at the Windsor Park development site, NHDT and its team have given new concrete homes to the families on the site of the older homes originally constructed by the previous community affairs minister. According to officials from the current ministry responsible for affordable homes, the new models have been built with stronger foundations, proper sustainability and more functionality.

Mike Adam told the new residents at Tuesday’s ceremony that he understood the financial hardship that many families face in owning a suitable home.

“This is why, at the heart and soul of our housing strategy, we're committed to go the extra mile for our clients in providing affordable homes,” Adams stated. “I commend the National Housing Development Trust and local contractors for their hard work and ongoing commitment to this project. I could not have asked for a better team.”

Introduced in 2003, the programme provides assistance to low income families who have dreams of obtaining a mortgage and owning their own home.

The original homes, which were built under the direction of former minister Dr Frank McField, have been criticised for being sub-standard. But while Adam was cutting ribbons on the more expensive properties which have been built on the Windsor Park site, McField was defending his project to the Public Accounts Committee across town in the LA.

McField said that he and his team had used the materials for the home his ministry built because they were cheap enough to make the homes affordable, which was the main goal and one that has been lost with the new project as these homes are out of reach of those at the bottom of the socio-economic heap that the homes were meant to assist.

He denied they were sub-standard and pointed out that they were given planning permission and received occupancy certificates. They had also had received insurance cover and were mortgaged by banks, none of which would have happened, McField said, had the homes been of such a poor standard as has been claimed. He also noted that the properties in Windsor Park had withstood the onslaught of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, despite the intensity of the storm.

According to the ministry, the government is absorbing the increase in costs for existing homeowners, who will not be required to make up the difference, despite the significant increase. However, all new clients of the NHDT will be paying the full price for the new concrete homes.

Related articles:

NHDT clients get new for old (April 2011)

Ex-housing board director denies insurance con (July 2012)

Government failures continue (September 2012)