Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
Residents at Belle Aire Meadows housing scheme. - Roger Robinson
ST. ANN:
THE INABILITY of residents to pay their mortgages and utility bills has put a snag on the Relocation 2000 project.
The housing development programme was announced by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson in September 1999, to address the growing problem of squatting in four communities islandwide.
Some former squatters, who benefited from the programme some three years ago, are finding themselves back on the fringes of the society as they lose their homes on account of mortgage delinquency.
The Belle Aire Meadows housing scheme, near Dumbar-ton in St. Ann, was developed for the 130 families who were living at Old Jail, on the Seville property in St. Ann's Bay.
But the joy of the residents in moving from squalor to more habitable surroundings, is almost turning to sorrow due to their inability to pay mortgages and utility bills. Having been relocated nearly 20 miles away from their original dwelling on the fishing beach where they usually earn their living mainly from fishing, the drastic cut in the earning power of residents has left them in deep financial difficulties.
Speaking at the official handing over of the scheme in 2003, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson had said that arrangements had been made with the St. Ann Parish Council to develop Roxborough Beach in
St. Ann's Bay into a fishing beach so that they can continue their livelihood.
The residents said that to date nothing has been done at Roxborough Beach. "All them did was to carry two containers and place them at Old Jail and said they are for fishermen, they explained.
"This is wickedness, to take us from off the beach and put us in bushes where there is no means of earning a living," one women who did not want to be identified remarked.
FORMER SQUATTERS
The Sunday Gleaner understands that the National Housing Trust (NHT), which developed the 130 detached and semi-detached housing units for the former squatters, has already begun to take steps to repossess units in arrears.
Bailiffs contracted by the NHT, with support from the police, have so far dispossessed six beneficiaries, and 55 others are listed for repossession soon.
Adding to their woes, several of the homeowners have had their electricity and water supplies disconnected due to non-payment of bills.
But the residents are very upset over the treatment they are receiving from the NHT and the utility companies, describing them as heartless.
"Before we were relocated to Belle Aire, they all know that we are poor and cannot afford a better living. So, how come they all expect us to find money to pay for the house, pay water bill and pay light bill when they don't provide us with any work," said a distraught resident.
When The Sunday Gleaner news team visited Belle Aire Meadows on Thursday, the residents were eager to explain their worries. The residents pointed out that the 100 semi-detached units were sold to them at $600,000 each while the 30 one-bedroom detached units were sold for $900,000.00 each.
In addition to paying $3,700.00 per month for the mortgage on the semi-detached units, and $5,000.00 per month for the detached houses, the beneficiaries have also being asked to make regular contributions to the Trust.
"Where do they expect us to get all this money from?" asked community leader Percival Folkes, better known as 'Hombre'.
