Deed of Lease Distribution Ceremony Government Aided Self-Help Housing Programme

Remarks by

The Honourable Adrian Leonce, M.P.  

Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

Government Campus Auditorium Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain 

May 2, 2023 12:30 p.m.

SALUTATIONS

• The Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Housing and Urban Development

• Ms. Frances Seignoret, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
• Mr. Wayne Inniss, Chairman and members of the Land Settlement Committee
• Mr. Hazar Hosein, Chief Executive Officer, Land Settlement Agency
• Members of the Government Aided Self-Help Housing Programme Committee
• Managers and Officers of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Land Settlement Agency
• Beneficiaries of the Government Aided Self-Help Housing Programme
• Members of the media
• Ladies and gentlemen

Good afternoon everyone,

Today, I am happy to share in your excitement as you receive the Deeds of Lease to your residential lots.  I know that there have been some challenges in getting you to this stage of the process, but I am glad you kept the faith and stayed the course.  With the assistance and guidance of the Land Settlement Agency, which is tasked with project managing this Programme on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, you can now confidently proceed to start construction of your very own home.  My heartiest congratulations to all of you!

We, at the Ministry, believe the Government Aided Self-Help Housing Programme is well-positioned to continue to be a successful and sustainable programme.  The strategy is meant to complement the Ministry’s Accelerated Housing Programme, and target persons with and without land, who may not have the wherewithal to embark on such a huge project on their own.

As an engineer, I find that the Government Aided Self-Help Housing Programme presents a truly effective and important, affordable shelter solution. This programme provides beneficiaries with residential lots on which to build modest homes, based on their families’ needs.  The Programme also comes with social benefits as recipients establish roots in the community as they build their homes, their lives and their relationships with others within that very community.

Additionally, he or she is motivated to preserve and protect what is theirs, and foster a deeper sense of commitment to the community to which they belong. Therefore, they would be more inclined to discourage miscreant and anti-social behaviours, and more likely to promote positive attitudes toward others and their properties, which is what we all desire for our country.

I recently had the good fortune to represent Trinidad and Tobago, in my capacity as Minister in the Ministry, at a Forum of Ministers and HighLevel Authorities on Housing and Urban Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (MINURVI 2023), held in Argentina.  Interestingly, the theme for the Forum was Funding for Climate Change Mitigation in Urban Settlements.  This Forum addressed global trends in housing and urban developments and the impact of climate change on communities.

The insights gathered provided additional information on how we in Trinidad and Tobago can improve our approach to sustainable housing.  These include reviewing and creating new policies to address our housing deficit, managing the challenges of climate change to ensure resilience and sustainability and bolster the housing value chain, which would better serve you, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

We, in this Administration, are always reminded to put people first, and in so doing nurture our greatest asset for the sustainable development of our nation.  This is reflected in our National Development Strategy better known as Vision 2030. At the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, this means ensuring everyone has access to decent and affordable shelter.

So today is cause for celebration as we present Deeds of Lease to beneficiaries of residential sites in Carapichaima and Chaguanas.  Know that this is just the first step in realising your dream of homeownership. This Administration remains resolute in its plans to help families and communities with more affordable shelter options.   I know that with your support, we can achieve this goal.

To the Land Settlement Agency and the entire Land Settlement Committee, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, through the pursuit of this and other programmes under your remit.  I appreciate the leadership of my colleague, the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis who tasks the Executives and technical teams of the Ministry and the LSA to make these occasions possible.

Again congratulations to today’s beneficiaries, on receiving your Deeds of Lease.

Thank you and may God continue to richly bless our nation.