The cries of residents living in an old building in Downtown Kingston has been heard by their member of parliament, Ronald Thwaites. The Central Kingston MP has written to the urban development corporation to grant temporary living privileges for the units.
The homes are yet to be delivered by the Urban Development Corporation as they currently,remain incomplete and unoccupied.
“They have not responded. They promised to investigate. I am appealing to them in this instance and more generally to focus on urban renewal as a great deal can be done to improve the lives of the people at affordable costs,” Ronald Thwaites explains.
However, the Residents remain outraged at the UDC for failing to deliver on the commitment made years ago, leaving several persons displaced and living in old structures.
” The building is terrible and whenever it rains it becomes flooded,” one resident shared.
Another expressed fear of the building collapsing at any point. ” This is my space and the walls might come down at any time,”
According to Member of Parliament, Ronald Thwaites this fear is justified.
“The conditions where the folks are now, unfortunately like so many people in the innercity are inadequate. The Urban Development needs to complete their construction and do what was originally intended. That is to hand them over on proper terms.”
The Downtown Kingston Redevelopment Plan: Yard Transformation Project was a means of replacing dilapidated homes and getting residents to access homes under mortgage, repayable over a 30 year period.
The UDC is yet to provide a response on the matter.
KHADIJAH THOMAS
