Aug. 28, 2006 – At a recent Housing, Sports and Veterans Affairs meeting, senators approved an amendment to the V.I. Housing Finance Authority's affordable housing initiative that calls for the development of five new affordable housing units for the island of St. Croix.
The project–which includes the construction of two three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes, and three four-bedroom, two bathroom homes–will be spearheaded by USVI Habitat Corp. in conjunction with the Housing Finance Authority.
According to Carlos Caccimani, a representative of USVI Habitat, the homes are both earthquake and hurricane resistant, and are well equipped with energy efficient features.
"One of the problems houses have is deterioration," Caccimani told senators. "So we brought in a new type of technology to make sure the houses don't deteriorate. We have used reinforced concrete with galvanized steel, and we don't use any kind of drywall. This makes these homes indestructible."
He added that the units cost between $150,000 and $175,000, and will be constructed in the Estate Barren Spot area on St. Croix. "We receive calls for these homes on a continuous basis," he said. "The technology in terms of protecting against weathering is fantastic, and there are all kinds of wonderful features."
While Caccimani said that all five units on St. Croix have already been sold, he assured senators that this is "just the beginning" for the organization, which is planning to build more homes in the Raphune Hill area on St. Thomas.
Senators unanimously voted to approve the housing development, along with a proposal submitted by Haborview Apartment Associates to rehabilitate 300 affordable rental units at Estate Golden Rock on St. Croix.
According to V.I. law, the Legislature is required to approve all affordable housing developments constructed by the Housing Finance Authority.
Present during the meeting were Sens. Liston Davis, Juan Figueroa-Serville, Louis P. Hill and Ronald E. Russell.
Sens. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, Pedro "Pete" Encarnacion and Celestino A. White Sr. were absent.
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