News

The Lives to live programme, an initiative of the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, continues to transform the lives of Vincentians. 

Minister of Housing Montgomery Danile & Bequia Resident Yvonne Ollivierre

This was evident as representatives of the Housing and Land Development Corporation and the Ministry of Housing, Informal Human Settlement, Land, Surveys and Physical Planning handed over the keys to a brand new house to a Bequia resident in Paget Farm, Yvonne Ollivierre, on Thursday, 7th November, 2019.  The house which is the first to be done under the programme on the island of Bequia was designed to accommodate her physically challenged relatives who will be living there.

Minister of Housing, Hon. Montgomery Daniel, said the request for assistance came around 2016 and the Ministry sought to address the issue since Ollivierre’s son and brother are both physically challenged.  He added that the new home owner also contributed to the two bedroom house and commended Ms. Ollivierre for her input on the project; noting that "it made it a fine property overall.” 

The Housing Minister emphasized that it is the policy of the government to ensure that the standard of living of Vincentians is improved.  The Minister said the target is to complete twenty-four more units by the end of this year.   

Ollivierre’s original property was damaged by a boulder during a disaster in 2005.  The Minister of Housing revealed that NEMO was instrumental in assisting Ollivierre after this unfortunate event, by providing financial assistance for a temporary dwelling house.

The house which is almost complete adds to the approximately 226 houses that the government has built through the “Lives to Live” Programme.

Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairs, Herman Belmar, said “today is a milestone not only for Yvonne but for the Northern Grenadines in particular." Belmar stressed that this is "the first major structure that we got involved in.” The Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairs disclosed that minor works have been done in the Grenadines before, such as: bathrooms and repairs to houses all under the “Lives to Live” Programme.

Chairman of the Housing and Land Development Corporation, Beresford Phillips, said this is an early Christmas gift and encouraged Ms. Ollivierre to take care of it.  Phillips thanked Ollivierre for exhibiting patience during the construction phase.

Beresford Phillips. Chairman HLDC

Ms. Ollivierre thanked the government and more particularly the staff of the Ministry of Housing and Governor General, Her Excellency Mrs. Susan Dougan in seeing this project to reality.  Ollivierre described the assistance as “a warm and bright ray of light representing good and caring people who are attentive to individuals like myself.” Ollivierre further disclosed that after living fourteen years in uncomfortable conditions; “it is a privilege to be able to reclaim a home and make memories for reflection.”  She also expressed her appreciation towards the government for their assistance during the crisis.

SOURCE: Agency For Public Information