Housing Minister Richard Frederick on Tuesday promised alternative accommodation for tenants in the CDC Block X apartments, which are due for demolition soon.
The building is structurally unsound.
“I am hoping to see the demolition of this building probably in the next week or two because we just don’t know how long we have and persons have to be removed from harm’s way,” Frederick told reporters.
The Castries Central MP explained that the tenants needed to vacate urgently.
“I will ensure from a personal standpoint as a representative of this government that we will throw nobody out – that they will have alternative accommodation even if we have to cushion any kind of financial blow to ensure that it happens,” Frederick asserted, adding that this would be done on a “case by case basis.”
The Minister recalled a meeting that addressed the tenants’ interests.
I indicated to them that this government was not about throwing anybody anywhere. What we did was to identify other areas within the complexes where those persons can be immediately relocated,” he told reporters.
In addition, Frederick said the meeting identified several problems.
“For example, you have a lady who lives in England, who has a store in town but uses an apartment as a storeroom. So she stores goods at $145 a month and persons basically need the apartment,” the Castries Central MP stated.
He also said people live in Cap Estate and visit the apartments once a week, while others facilitate a debit from their salaries and use the apartments ‘off and on’.
“We cannot have those situations to continue. We have a lot of foreigners whose names are registered as tenants of various apartments. We have the problems of sub-letting,” Frederick explained.
He said another meeting is due on Wednesday, where the issue should be resolved.
“And I do know that not one tenant will be left unsatisfied,” Frederick told reporters.
He said there were sixteen registered tenants in Block X.
However, the Minister said not every tenant lives alone.
Headline photo: Stock image
Now you look at that well to do people occupying apartments there but poor can’t get in there to live the ABSOLUTE SHAME OF IT.
Well done Sam B. for forcing the Don to back track. You are keeping him in check. Keep watching him and his motives.
Tear down all of it before we become like Turkey band build a modern high rise for cooperate leasing or Castries first modern hotel in decades the place needs development. We need to empower the people by letting them become home owners by building affordable housing for them. There are a lot of so call Queens lands we would gladly give to foreigners instead of making liveable accommodations for our own. Imagine foreigner’s owns how many apartments in the CDC some are business people for storage while the working poor of this country can’t afford to become home owner this is a joke.
Some of you St. Lucians are too much – you all expect too much from the government. Try living in another country and you will learn to fend for yourself – unless you are severely disabled. If you did not pay rent for 20 plus years – what did you do with the funds ????? – give me a break. Your first priority is the roof over your head –
Did the government instruct you to have more kids that you can afford.??? Did the government instruct you to hang your hat where your hand can not reach.?? Did the government instruct you to live with a male or female companion/husband/wife with no ambition or vision??
I am so thankful to God that he is my source and not the government. Amen and Amen
Bowers is RF’s met bordah.
RF you have to BOW to the man you call BOWELS on your show. No elected politician should have the right to attack and intimidate citizens in the media.
A couple weeks ago we noticed some Plywood/Timber Structures built tightly onto some CDC Apartment Buildings, believed to be in use for servicing the public in food and beverage consumption.
Today we have CDC Block X scheduled to be demolished, believed to be of ‘Structural failure’ and that’s nothing new in Castries. Many years ago, up Jeremie Street two Apartment Buildings with residence above (and most unfortunately) Rum Shops and some other Shops on ground level. All day & night music blasting, the Police couldn’t get them to keep the noice down. At closing time, front door is closed but booz business is loud enough to keep a working man awake.
Life in Castries is worsen, because the Politicians encourage it, the Planning Department, City Mayors etc. etc. care less. If you think the Structure in these buildings are unsafe, try a fire in one of these Huts late at night – you’ll soon find out – REMOVE ALL THESE HUTS IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF ST. LUCIA, ITS UNHEALTHY, NASTY & AN EYESORE – how do they wash things down after business is closed, or do they clean?
St. Lucia the same yesterday, today and tomorrow; no change, same ting.
Poor Didus, left to face the firing squad alone and people distanced themselves quickly from his pronouncements which I’m sure came under instructions from the head honchos.
I give R.F an E for efforts to get rid of the parasites and the rest to follow.I also think me can negotiate a fair living wage of $10 per hour based on 40 hrs weekly with the Hotel’s to Share the WEALTH with the people of St Lucia..
Create employment for the people in Blocks A to Z .. The salaries are too low people NEEDS more spending power.$7,000–$ 8,000 a year’s Salaries Should be unacceptable. Way too low for the working poor..R F please use a pinch of commonsense approach to help you fellow St Lucians out of the working poor class. .
I endorse my thoughts..