Pond finally gets NHC unit

The National Housing Corporation (NHC) has come to the aid of the mother of seven who was given notice of eviction by a “landlord” who sublet a structure to her which he allegedly built onto his NHC rental unit in Silver Hill, Christ Church.

Shiaka Pond, the 32-year-old former gas station attendant is now living in her own NHC unit, thanks to the intervention of corporation’s management.

Pond thanked Barbados TODAY for bringing attention to her plight in its June 9 edition.

“Thank you very much. I appreciate what you have done for me. Thanks coming from my kids as well,” she said in a WhatsApp message.

The page 3 story revealed that the state-owned NHC had called in its legal advisors to recommend what action to take against a tenant who had given the occupants of an adjoining structure an eviction notice over rent arrears.

The report indicated that Jeffrey Evan Maloney, who is renting the unit at Block 4J, Green Hill Close, Silver Hill, Christ Church from the NHC at $45 per week, was allegedly subletting the structure which had been built onto the unit to two other families.

Pond, who occupied the make-shift home with five of her seven young children had been paying $150 per week for the single space dwelling. Her other two children live with a grandparent. The woman said that even while pregnant with her now three-month-old daughter, she had been paying her rent as the unemployment cheques came in. However, the young mother claimed that due to the COVID-19 shutdown by Government departments and businesses, the cheques stopped coming. She complained that Maloney ordered her off the premises by the end of last month for $1,100 in outstanding rent, but Pond told Barbados TODAY she had been honouring her obligations.

She told Barbados TODAY it is through the goodness of her grandmother who lives elsewhere that sometimes she was able to get water and the food which is obtained through monthly Welfare Department vouchers, was stored at her “child father’s grandfather.”

When Barbados TODAY first reached out to Maloney previously, he declined to shed any light on the situation. However when he was contacted this evening, he indicated a willingness to speak in a future face-to-face interview.

General Manager of the NHC Garvey Alleyne, said he is still awaiting the official report on the matter. He however noted that the NHC will not be tolerating any unauthorized subletting of its properties.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb