Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says no legitimate tenant of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) will be evicted under his watch.
Speaking at the keys distribution function at Oasis Greens Housing settlement in Chaguanas yesterday, Moonilal said certain groups were trying to evoke fear in the hearts of HDC clients who possessed Rent-to-Own and Licence-to-Occupy arrangements.
He also alleged that certain groups were charging renters fees for taking up HDC matters. “Under Roodal Moonilal no one will be evicted. We will evict nobody and we will work with you from being a renter to getting a mortgage, so don’t be conned by anybody into paying any money,” Moonilal said.
Warning HDC tenants not to be fooled, Moonilal said the police would deal with this.
“We are hearing that certain organisations are exploiting renters. Do not collect money from poor struggling renters. It is against the law and we will expose you for exploiting the poor, low-income renters by taking money from them in exchange for seeking to represent them, ” Moonilal said.
He said Government had gone to Cabinet to get lands vested in the HDC so proper deeds could be distributed.
“This means freedom because no longer will people be imprisoned in a rental arrangement. They can use their property to get a loan. Our detractors are speaking out against us because they don’t want us to free you,” Moonilal added.
He said HDC was owed $291 million in rent.
“We could have built another 800 low-income homes if people pay their bills so I urge you to pay your mortgage and work with us so we can give you a title deed,” Moonilal added. He said those people who could not afford a mortgage could go to the HDC and speak to a representative.
He said a random draw would be held in the next few months and people who had been waiting 15 years and more would receive houses.