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Minister for Housing and Lands, Hon. Melissa Poponne Skerrit, says the Government of Dominica has gone above and beyond to ensure proper housing for citizens.

“Housing is one of the prime necessities of life,” the Minister stated, adding, “and we are fully committed to helping families achieve home ownership.”

She described housing as one of the clearest expressions of government’s covenant with its people:

“When a family can get a key in their hand and turn it in the front door of a brand-new home, the state has done more than provide shelter, it has unlocked security, dignity, and intergenerational wealth.”

According to Minister Skerrit, government remains fully dedicated to facilitating home ownership, particularly for families in disaster-prone areas. She noted that plans are in place to resettle communities at high risk of natural disasters, including Campbell, Petite Soufrière, San Sauveur, and Good Hope. Relocation sites at Castle Bruce and Warner already have the necessary infrastructure to support construction, with funds secured to begin building.

The Minister explained that engineer surveys and site plans are complete, vulnerable families have been prioritized, and five local contractors are preparing to bid for construction. Work is expected to start in September 2025, alongside upgrades to water storage in Castle Bruce under DOWASCO’s water strategy and future housing developments in Warner.

She highlighted that these projects represent a major investment in the Dominican people, bringing jobs and increased economic activity.

“On every housing site, we enforce one key principle: we want local contractors, tradesmen, and laborers from the community. That way, money circulates within the community.”

Minister Skerrit added that the social impact of construction is just as important as the buildings themselves:

“It’s always a wonderful sight to see local women setting up food stalls, selling lunches and drinks to workers, and then watching those same workers reinvest their earnings in neighborhood businesses, snackettes, shops, and bars. This isn’t just construction; it’s community revitalization in action. When you support local, you build local. And when you build local, you build a legacy.”

She encouraged residents in the affected communities to prepare for change, assuring them that their villages will soon see a surge of jobs, pride, and economic activity.