From left: Social Domain infrastructure coordinator Ingrid Whitfield, Deputy Government Commissioner Alida Francis, Carlyle Tearr of IBS, Social Domain director Carol Jack-Roosberg and Social Domain policy advisor Elizabeth Jones.
ST. EUSTATIUS--Five additional assisted-living homes and five emergency homes will be built in St. Eustatius, to alleviate the housing shortage and to provide families with temporary housing. The ground-breaking for the first home is scheduled this week.
With the realisation of these new homes, housing opportunities will be provided for elderly and disabled persons. The homes will be constructed adjacent to the 10 existing assisted-living homes at Felicia Viola van Zanten Complex in Lodi.
An inventory by the Social Domain Department in May 2020 confirmed that the demand for housing in Statia is high. Felicia Viola van Zanten Complex was built following the inventory. These homes are now occupied by four tenants.
A large number of Statia residents are eligible for social housing. Approximately 102 persons are currently on the waiting list.
The tendering process to build the homes was executed in accordance with the tendering protocol. IBS was selected and will join forces with Merkies Construction.
“We are proud of this development and look forward to many more joint efforts. It is important that we continue to strengthen our community,” said Deputy Government Commissioner Alida Francis.
The contract for the execution of the project was signed on Monday, March 8. This project is financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport.
