Gov't looking to container homes as option for hurricane victims

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness is endorsing container homes as a means of providing cost effective and safe housing options for victims of Hurricane Melissa. 

 

Container and modular homes have received a tepid response in the local market. But as the need arises for swift housing solutions for those still without a roof, Dr. Holness says, after careful assessment, the government is satisfied that these are appropriate to fill the existing gaps.

 

"There are different types, different versions. And so I've met with the NHT (National Housing Trust), and the NHT has provided us with a solution that they are presently working on. At a later stage, we'll go into more details. But the plan is, in the initial phase, for the NHT to purchase 5,000 container homes. And some of them will be for sale. So with a programme with the NHT, you'll be able to purchase. Some of them will be used to build housing schemes, which you can purchase. And a portion of them will be made available through social housing," he outlined at a press briefing on Wednesday. 

 

He said the procurement process will begin soon, with real-time impact expected by early next year. 

 

"We are not going to get them here for Christmas. I just have to be frank with everybody. But we should start to see some coming in by late January. And those that come in initially, we are going to be looking at the worst cases assessed to make them available. For Christmas and for the initial stages, we're going to have to try to do the shelter repair kits, the heavy-duty tarpaulins, and those kinds of solutions. Shipping is between 30 to 90 days, just that alone. Then there is some procurement and other administrative and bureaucratic things that might take up the time," the Prime Minister acknowledged.