Housing Programme Faciliation and Implementation Unit

Aim of the Home Improvement Grant Programme

The Ministry is mandated to provide Home Improvement Grants to low income households in order to effect critical home repairs. The Housing Programme Facilitation and Implementation Unit (HPFIU) of the Ministry administers the Home Improvement Grant Programme (HIG) to eligible persons, ensuring all approved policies and procedures are adhered to. The HIG programme provides a non-refundable fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) grant to successful applicants for approved repair works.

Approved repair works are:

1. Additions or upgrade of indoor bathroom and toilet facilities
2. Addition, upgrade and adaption of room to ease overcrowding
3. Bedroom and kitchen cupboards
4. Conversion of earthen floors to concrete
5. Conversion of wooden structures to concrete
6. Electrical works
7. Improved facilities for the disabled
8. Installation of burglar proofing, doors and windows for enhanced security
9. Other works deemed critical to home improvement
10. Plumbing works
11. Roof and ceiling work

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for the grant:

1. Combined household incomes must not exceed $5,000.00 per month or $60,000.00 per annum
2. Must be a resident citizen of Trinidad and Tobago
3. Must be at least 21 years old
4. Must own the house or have legal authority to occupy the land
5. The applicant or any other household member must not have benefitted from the Ministry’s Home Improvement Subsidy

Application process –

1. All applicants will be entered into the Ministry’s database and a random selection process will be adopted in the selection of perspective beneficiaries
2. Successful applicants will be informed of their selection and will be interviewed to ascertain the veracity of their application
3. Supporting documents and a detailed estimate of the cost of repairs will be required
4. A technical officer of the Ministry will visit the beneficiary’s premises during the period that repairs are being undertaken, to ensure that work is done in accordance with the estimate
5. Funds will be disbursed in two (2) tranches, 50% on commencement and 50% when half of the repairs have been satisfactorily completed.

WHERE TO APPLY?

• In addition to completing applications online, potential applicants can download application forms from the Ministry’s website or collect and return forms at any of the following offices: