Up Front
In a move to improveaffordable ownership for Caymanians, Gov't and a self-help entityin separate projects, will provide ...
Help for Housing
Government is taking steps to addressthe need for affordable housing in the Cayman Islands. Dr. FrankMcField is expected to sign a contract this Friday, August 23,that will begin the construction of some 200 houses for lowerand low-income families.
Dr. the Hon.Frank McField, Minister of Community Development, Women's Affairs,Youth and Sports.
This initiative, combined with a separateproject from Habitat for Humanity, will go a long way towardssatisfying this country's housing needs.
Dr. McField did not elaborate on Government'snew housing plan at the time of writing, but when told about Habitat'splan to build houses here, he said: "Any organization whogets involved with affordable housing in the Cayman Islands iswelcome."
This coming weekend a steering committeecomposed of Rotary Central members and individual volunteers willbe meeting with Habitat's representatives, Mr. Alex Garritsonand Mr. Richard Adonis. It is hoped that the charter for Cayman'chapter of Habitat for Humanity will be granted shortly thereafter."We want to get out there and build some houses!" saidDr. Bill Hrudey.
Because of the limited funding, Habitatfor Humanity's assistance is given to those families who havean income and who can make regular payments on an interest freeloan.
"The recipients are purchasing theirhome, only in a more affordable way. After their house is finished,they will make low monthly payments which will go into a poolthat is recycled and awarded for new houses," explains Ms.Wendy Ebanks, a member of the steering committee.
Recipients of Habitat's services are generallylower income workers "who can pay rent but are not makingor saving enough money to buy a home of their own," saysMs. Ebanks.
"We are hoping to take the brunt offof government by helping those people who can make these [lowmonthly] payments," she explains.
This, in turn, will hopefully allow governmentto focus on those cases that Habitat cannot take care of, suchas those of extreme indigence. Those who have started to builda home but have been unable to finish it because of the high costs,and those whose homes that need extensive repairs may also beeligible for Habitat's assistance.
Those who are chosen to receive help arethen introduced to the concept of "sweat-equity". Forexample, if Habitat is building three houses, all three recipientswill be expected to work on all three houses on a rotating basis.
The three houses will be finished simultaneously,and all three recipients will receive the keys to their houseat the same time. "It's like the old 'barn-raising' theyused to have in the U.S," says Dr. Hrudey, "where thecommunity came together to help a family."
The recipients will be expected to helpout in other Habitat projects as well. "[The idea] is tohelp others as you have been helped," explains Mr. Mustin.
Although it is an independent and non-politicalorganization, Habitat for Humanity will be working closely withthe Ministry of Community Development, Women's Affairs, Youthand Sports.
"We want to make sure that our policiesare complimentary to those existing policies," explains Ms.Ebanks. Once the charter is granted, the group hopes to finalizea pilot project that will be initiated with government's assistance.
Three years ago, Rotary Central memberswere made aware of an elderly teacher whose house needed a newroof. The organization, which is known for their community serviceprojects, did not hesitate to help her. However, upon finishingthe roof it was clear that the house needed further repairs asthere was extensive damage caused by termites. "What startedoff as a weekend project ended up lasting much longer than that,"recalls Mr. Walter Mustin, a member of Rotary Central.
Once the project was completed, Rotary Centralwas approached by the teacher's neighbours who also expressedtheir need for help. Realizing that Rotary could not meet thedemand for such projects through their community service endeavors,three Rotary Central members, Dr. Bill Hrudey, Mr. Alt Thompsonand Mr. Mustin, decided that something more had to be done. "Thereare a lot of people who are living in substandard housing, orwho cannot afford to build their own homes or fix it," saysDr. Hrudey. "So we said 'let's try to get Habitat for Humanity'."
For the past three years the steering committeehas been working through the logistics of getting the charterfor the Cayman chapter.
Though Rotary Central is spearheading theeffort, once the charter is granted Habitat for Humanity willbe an independent organization. Once it receives its charter,Cayman's Habitat for Humanity will be eligible to receive financialcontributions from Habitat for Humanity International as wellas seek local corporate sponsorship to help carry out their projects.