Around 57 people received the keys to their climate-resilient homes from the Commonwealth of Dominica government on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the State House Conference Center. The families that lost their houses following the landfall of Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria in 2015 and 2017, respectively, have received the housing units built under the Housing Recovery Project.
The keys were given to the recipients by the Prime Minister, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Reginald Austrie, and Melissa Skerrit, the Parliamentary Representative for Roseau Central.
According to Prime Minister Skerrit, the government of Dominica is still committed to giving people the chance to purchase quality houses and provide better futures for their families.
“Fifty-seven (57) individuals are now proud recipients of new homes under the Government of Dominica’s Housing Recovery Project. Keys were handed over during a ceremony at the State House Conference Center on Thursday, July 14, 2022,” said Roosevelt Skerrit.
While addressing the beneficiaries, Prime Minister Skerrit mentioned, “I am happy for providing homes to the families as a home is the primary responsibility of families. A family, at the foremost, try to build a household, whether small or big. Home is the desire of a man, and today, the Lord has blessed 57 families whom yesterday had no home, but from today you will have keys to the homes you may open and sleep peacefully.”
“For Dominica, handing over one key is important as we will have one less vulnerable family. We are blessed that from today 57 will have a home. Additionally, 118 housing units are under construction, which will provide happiness to 118 families in the future,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated.
He said the government is also generating massive employment islandwide through the “Housing Revolution”. During the construction of the various units, local contractors, builders, materials and supplies were used by the government, which directly or indirectly employed Dominica’s skilled and semi-skilled individuals. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit also thanked the people who worked to construct and finish those comfortable homes. He highlighted, “Labour party has done most in the history.”
Furthermore, Prime Minister Skerrit said the government will also be launching a new housing initiative on July 16 (Saturday) at 11 am at the Windsor Park Stadium. The “Future Housing Programme”, will be for young Dominicans under which construction will be initiated in Warner, Cotton Hill in Portsmouth, Hillsborough Gardens up in St Joseph and Grand Bay.
He further lauded the government and people for working hard, being diligent and committed to the task of creating opportunities during tough times like COVID-19.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude towards the World Bank for the financial assistance and the ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Prime Minister promised that the government would not stop working until each family have a comfortable home.
During the handover ceremony, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Reginald Austrie also addressed the general public. He stated, “Since 2006, the government of Dominica recognised that housing is a major issue and the government of Dominica realised that we have to do something about it. Housing has been a very important component of our development. The delivered resilient houses are constructed at safe and secure locations,” he outlined.
He also thanked Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit for the hard work and change brought by him. He said, “All this is done by the efforts of our Prime Minister.”
For future projects, he outlined that out of the upcoming 69 homes, 17 will be handed over to the Kalinago community people, as the government is doing all to improve and uplift the lives of the Kalinago people as these people suffered more as compared to others. “Enjoy the best of life on this beautiful island,” he concluded.
Melissa Skerrit-Parliament Representative from Roseau Central referred to the handover ceremony as a momentous occasion for the government and people of Dominica, “We continue to respond to the housing needs of our people, and once again, I stand proud to be part of this government which fully embraces its responsibilities to secure the well-being and the comfort of our people, particularly the most vulnerable among us,” said Melissa Skerrit.
She said the Dominica Housing Programme is consistent and targeted, which is helping people fulfil the basic human necessity for shelter, “Our commitment has only intensified since Hurricane Maria devastated our housing stock which impelled the government to address the urgent need to return our affected populations to safe spaces, we have never underestimated the importance of a safe shelter for our people,”.
The government of Dominica is offering the biggest housing revolution in the region by utilising the funds generated through the country’s prestigious citizenship by investment programme. The government aims to over 5,000 homes out of which more than 1100 are already constructed and distributed to people in Bellevue Chopin, Cotton Hill, East Coast, Georgetown, Grand Bay, Jimmit, Stock Farm, Roseau Upper River Bank. While additional homes are being constructed in Joe Burton, Scotts Head, Eggleston, Grand Bay Villa, Canefield, Vieille Case and Paid Bouche.
Citizenship by Investment Programme of Dominica:
One of the most beautiful Caribbean islands – the Commonwealth of Dominica, launched its citizenship by investment programme in 1993 in order to develop the country socially and economically.
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme allows the country to grant alternative citizenship to persons who qualify under certain criteria and policy guidelines while boosting Dominica’s economic investment.
Benefits of the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme:
- Add Additional Dependants: Possibility to add dependants once citizenship for the primary applicant has been granted, including a spouse, children under 31, unmarried siblings under 26, parents and grandparents of any age, and children.
- Global Mobility: The citizen will be able to travel across 75 percent of the world hassle-free.
- Citizenship Legacy: Alternative Citizenship can be passed on to future generations.
- Safe and Peaceful Environment: The applicant(s) can spend their life in a safe, peaceful and stable country.
- Plan B: Dominica is surely a plan B amid uncertainties.
The investor(s) can apply for the alternative citizenship of Dominica through two investment options: Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) and Real Estate Fund Option.
1) Economic Diversification Fund: Popularly known as EDF, the options support public and private projects within the country. The Minimum Investment will be USD 100,000.
2) Real Estate: Under the real estate fund option, the investors invest in government-approved real estate projects.
The Minimum Investment is USD $200,000.
About Dominica:
Dominica, popularly known as the Nature Island of Dominica, juts up from the glistening waters of the Caribbean to serve as a must-visit destination for world travellers seeking solace in a place that time has forgotten. The country is known to be one of the best-kept secrets of the Caribbean; the island is home to lush rainforests, towering mountains, rushing rivers, welcoming waterfalls, and volcanic wonders—everything one needs to rejuvenate the mind and body.
Whether one is looking for a hiking experience, or a heart-stirring day of diving, Dominica—and its people—await one with open arms, restorative days, and relaxing nights.
