Gov’t to relocate first of Rock Hall squatters next week

The process to relocate squatters in Rock Hall, St Philip is intensifying, with one resident expected to move into a finished one-bedroom wooden structure at Carpenter’s Glade, St Philip as early as next Monday.

Six two-bedroom houses are also in the process of being constructed at Carpenter’s Glade and will be occupied by people being moved from the squatting area, which has been deemed a hazardous location.

This week, squatters complained to Barbados TODAY that they were being left in the dark about the plan to relocate them, though they have been advised that it is at an advanced stage.

However, during a press conference today, Antoine Williams, who is one of the field officers assigned by the Ministry of Housing and National Housing Corporation (NHC) to facilitate and manage the project, explained that the process, which started in December 2019, is a tedious undertaking due to the legalities involved and having to assist residents in understanding contractual arrangements.

Williams said while he understands the readiness of the squatters, they must understand the process outlined by the NHC to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible and is managed well.

“We would want for the general public as well as those who are presently at Rock Hall to clearly understand that our levels of engagement will continue. We will ensure that information is communicated to every individual and there is absolutely no need for panic, for anguish,” Williams said.

Veteran social worker Charles Griffith, who is also a field officer assigned to the relocation project, explained that following a house-to-house survey conducted in 2019, majority of the squatters want to be relocated under a rent-to-own arrangement.

But Griffith said when the survey showed that 106 households fell below the poverty line, the decision was made to start working with the most vulnerable first.

He said Government agreed to a house swap arrangement where Rock Hall residents have the opportunity to sign over their current dwelling to the Government who will provide them with a free house, which will be located on land they must rent to own.

Griffith said in addition to Carpenter’s Glade, Parish Land extension, where the roads are in the process of being completed and utilities are available; Parish Land, Christ Church, and Lead Vale Christ Church, are among areas identified to relocate the residents.

He said the land at Carpenter’s Glade is being sold at $15 per square foot and all has been done to ensure that Rock Hall residents who choose to relocate to that area can afford to pay the price.

Griffith said it has been made clear that people constructing houses at Rock Hall after February 2020 will not be involved in the relocation programme.

Griffith said: “Now, persons with housing units, which can be relocated, but the majority of units at Rock Hall cannot be relocated. Persons with units that can be relocated will cover the cost of relocation on their own. Government will provide a relocation grant of BDS$2 500 to assist them and of course the land will be paid for in the rent-to-own arrangements.

“This process is ongoing and will continue in an orderly fashion. Yes, people are anxious and people are perhaps nervous about the situation, but it is a process that must be managed. Now there are contracts, which are signed by heads of households for the land with the Ministry of Housing, and included in the contract is the provision that any false information given will be a breach of contract and will be addressed”.

Griffith said 50 percent of the residents of Rock Hall are Barbadians with the remainder being CARICOM nationals, and noted that each household is being treated with dignity and respect.

Rock Hall resident Benoni Blackett, who was present at the press conference, told members of the media that it is every person’s dream to own a piece of the rock and said he and his fellow squatters have been waiting for this moment to happen for a long time.

Blackett, who thanked the Government for coming to the residents’ rescue, said he has been living at Rock Hall for more than ten years.

“I don’t have much to say but this is one of the best things in life to happen to anybody in Rock Hall. It is nice up there but we got to go,” Blackett said. (AH)