The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is preparing to hand over 215 newly constructed homes and apartment units to families across nine communities in Dominica. Housing Minister Melissa Poponne-Skerrit announced the upcoming distribution, which forms part of the Government's continued push to expand access to safe and climate-resilient housing for Dominican families.
The handover will see keys presented to beneficiaries in communities spanning the island, reflecting the Government's commitment to rebuilding and strengthening housing stock in the wake of past hurricane seasons. The homes have been constructed to resilient standards, designed to withstand the severe weather events that have historically impacted the Nature Isle.
Minister Poponne-Skerrit said the distribution marks a significant milestone in the housing programme, which has prioritised families who lost homes or who were living in vulnerable conditions. The new units include both individual homes and apartment buildings, with construction carried out under the Ministry's oversight and in line with national building codes.
The announcement comes as the Government continues to implement its broader housing strategy, which has seen hundreds of homes delivered across Dominica since the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017. The programme has focused on providing not only shelter but durable housing that can withstand tropical storms, heavy rainfall and other climate-related hazards.
Officials have indicated that the selection of beneficiaries was conducted through a transparent process, with priority given to those most in need, including families with vulnerable members and households that had been displaced. The Ministry has also worked with community leaders and local authorities to ensure that the homes are allocated fairly.
The nine communities set to receive the homes were not all named in the announcement, but the Ministry has said that details of the handover ceremonies will be communicated to beneficiaries directly. Residents are encouraged to stay in contact with the Ministry's offices for information on collection dates and documentation requirements.
The handover of the 215 units adds to the growing inventory of resilient housing in Dominica, a key pillar of the Government's development agenda. Housing remains a central focus of national policy, with continued investment in construction and infrastructure aimed at reducing the island's vulnerability to natural disasters.
Minister Poponne-Skerrit expressed satisfaction with the progress of the programme and thanked the construction teams and partners involved in delivering the homes. She reaffirmed the Government's commitment to ensuring that every Dominican family has access to a safe and dignified place to live, particularly as the region enters another hurricane season.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is expected to release further information on the handover schedule in the coming days.
