Minister of Housing Reginald Austrie

Minister for Housing Reginald Austrie told the press on Monday that all legal fees associated with the registration of these lands will be waived. There are about 25 communities on island with individuals who illegally occupied government land.

During the 2005 Independence Address, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said that the government would take up the challenge to improve the quantity and quality of life through squatter regularization.

He added that construction of affordable housing, specifically in the Carib Territory, an eastern community specifically designated for the Carib Indians, would be undertaken.

Minister Austrie announced that his administration has approved the allocation of 92 lots for squatters in the most critical squatting communities in Canefield, Stock Farm and Pointe Michel.

“The squatters are some of the less fortunate people in our society. Some of these people have been squatting on these lands for some 45 years because they have not been able to afford.

“Those lands cost in the region of $3 to $7 a square foot so you can understand what it is that government is absorbing to ensure that every Dominican own a piece of Dominican soil today,” Mr Austrie said.

He said that a special condition for the cause involves 90-120 days for payment, which will encourage people to take advantage of the opportunity.

“The intention is to allow these people to have the land and to pay for the land,” he said, adding that the waiving the legal fees is an additional incentive.

“Once you pay for these lands, you can take your receipt to the legal affairs department and we will provide for you the legal support and legal assistance free of charge to have those lands registered,” he said.

Mr Austrie also highlighted the introduction of public utilities to communities. He said that there are number of ongoing projects for infrastructural development in several communities including housing development in select communities’ island wide.