by YVETTE BEST

THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS in arrears have started to roll in to the National Housing Corporation (NHC).

About $45 000 has been collected over the last few months alone, as Government seeks to fulfill an election pledge of giving tenants in the units for more than 20 years and fully paid up their units free.

Minister of Housing Michael Lashley told a packed town hall meeting at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Deacons Road, St Michael, on Monday night this money had come from people who qualified for free units.

Some tenants from estates across the island who had occupied their units for 20 years or more have received letters of transfer from the NHC, with the provision that they clear outstanding debts.

"If you owe the corporation money, it is only reasonable, we cannot transfer it over to you. So once you pay your arrears, and you're up to mark, then you qualify," the minister stated.

A further burden has been lifted from these long-standing tenants.

Written off

All qualified tenants who had started to pay the $40 000 proposed by the Barbados Labour Party Government to own their units will not be refunded, but the outstanding money has been written off.

Angelia Carvalho of Ferniehurst, who has been occupying her unit for 28 years, had her outstanding bill written off on the spot Monday night.

Speaking to the audience, which included constituency representative Chris Sinckler and NHC general manager Vincent Alleyne, Carvalho explained that she had already paid $22 000 of the money before her unit was transferred to her, and queried whether she would have to pay the remaining sum.

Lashley promptly directed her to the NHC officials on hand and received thunderous applause when he said: "I will relieve you of that burden."

He told the MIDWEEK NATION after the meeting the same would obtain for all beneficiaries in that position.

The new homeowners, who were anxious about the transfer of title deeds, were told that it depended on how quickly the lawyers could complete their business.

They were also assured that all repairs would be done before the deeds were transferred.

* yvettebest@nationnews.com

Please see also Pages 32A & 33A.