HDC acquires 128 acres at Santa Rosa for 1,200 housing units

Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal told reporters Thursday cabinet has approved the acquisition of 128 acres of land at Trestrail Farms, Santa Rosa Estate for housing.

Speaking at the post cabionet media briefing, Moonilal said the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) intends to build 1,200 housing units on the land.

Moonilal said there is a need for 125,000 housing units. He noted that to deliver that, the HDC would need 8,000 acres of suitable land for development.

"In that context, if we are to reach our goal of providing 6,200 housing units per year, the HDC will indeed need to acquire 400 acres of land annually for the next 20 years," Moonilal stated.

The HDC is engaged in currently building homes at construction sites in Union Hall, San Fernando; Egypt Trace and Dass Trace in Chaguanas; and Fairfield, Bromage Estate in Princes Town.

Moonilal said the construction at these estates is in addition to the new "Land for Landless Programme" which is a joint initiative of the HDC and the Land Settlement Agency.

The programme will provide building lots for under privileged citizens. the lots will have a foundation for building a home, complete with plumbing fixtures. Moonilal said earlier this week most of those lots will go to CEPEP workers.