They were houses abandoned at Mahogany Heights but tonight two families in Port Loyola will be calling those once discarded houses, home. The families got their new homes through an initiative by Port Loyola area Representative Anthony "Boots" Martinez. The houses were bought with a $100,000 loan from the Social Investment Fund.
That money went to St. John's Credit Union which in turn lent $15,000 to each new homeowners. $9,000 of that amount went to purchasing unused houses from Mahogany Heights which were then transported to the city and customized. Helen Swan got the keys to her new three bedroom house this afternoon and at $150 a month, it was a deal this mother of five says she couldn't pass it up.
Helen Swan, New Homeowner
"Well it is very exciting. It is something challenging and something that I will really really love because it is my home. After payment for so many years, I am very happy about it."
Keith Swift,
What was your living situation prior to this?
Helen Swan,
"Well I used to live on Kraal Road and that's not a nice neighborhood where they are always, you know lot of crime and thing but coming back here it will be more pleasant and everything for my kids."
Keith Swift,
How affordable is this for you?
Helen Swan,
"Very affordable."
Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez,
"These are the house through our Port Loyola project for the poor that we have put up for the residents of Port Loyola. They were chosen by criteria in terms of need but you must have everything together. You must have your lease fiat. This is through the Credit Union, this is a program through St. John's Credit Union where you must have your lease fiat, you must have permission to mortgage and you must have your land and you must put down a deposit of $700 which is 5% of the original loan and then you are qualified for the house."
Keith Swift,
These houses are just $150 a month, is it too good to be true?
Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez,
"No it is there for your eyes to see. These houses are properly tied down, even the windows are hurricane proof, so the structure is excellent. The structure is professional and everything is to specification in terms of the building code."
The loan to each homeowner amounts to $14,000 and over the next seven and a half years they'll repay $150 a month. The houses are located just off from Faber's Road. Four more houses are underway and will be finished shortly. The loan for the houses are with the credit union and 'Boots' Martinez was really only the facilitator. Boots notes that the low cost is also attributed to in kind donations of construction supplies and materials from the business community.
