Home Again: Housing Grants Rebuild Lives

In the months following Ivan our definition of what makes a home has surely changed. We have learned to accept, if not be satisfied with, what evolved as “home” over the last three months.

Fortunately, many of us are now seeing light at the end of tunnel, and are opening doors to newly repaired homes as a first significant step towards restoring normalcy.

This is particularly so for those who had no insurance and for whom the joint generosity of the Cayman Islands Development Bank (CIDB) Housing Recovery Grant (HRG) and the National Recovery Fund (NRF) has been a Godsend. The Ministers Association too is extending a helping hand to the rebuilding effort, aided by local and overseas donations and government also recently announced an increased focus on getting uninsured people back in their homes by establishing district work teams to assist those who need help.

Mrs. Desney Forde, of Bodden Town is one beneficiary and she is particularly grateful for the work being done to repair her roof. “We lost so much with Ivan,” she comments. “I applied to the HRG and in three to four weeks it was approved. The application process was quite simple and I’m thankful for Ms Clyte Linwood’s assistance. As soon as we received the cheque we were able to start the repairs. Everyone in my Personnel Department office was very supportive, especially Mr. Colin Ross and Mr. Mark Scotland from CIRO dropped by to check on progress on my house. All the roofers worked very hard and I must thank them for doing such a great job.”

Another recipient is Mrs. Allegra Wood. Her George Town home sustained heavy damage during Ivan and were it not for the help of family, friends and a CIDB grant, she would not have had a roof over her head for Christmas. “This government grant has allowed me to move back into my home of 34 years and there is not a greater gift,” she said.

Assistance from the grant paid Gary Ebanks of Reliable Roofers to replace shingles and install 11 new windows and replace lights and ceiling fans. Pastor Al Ebanks of the Cayman Ministers’ Association also donated 50 sheets of sheetrock to repair Mrs. Woods’ walls and ceilings and a friend, Lee Brown, donated bedroom furniture. Neither Mrs. Woods who is 63 years old, nor husband Donley who is handicapped, are employed and they are still seeking assistance to further furnish and outfit their home.

The Woods appreciate all efforts to assist them: “After the hurricane, social workers from the government came by the house and told us about the grant. They helped us fill out the forms and we were overjoyed when they phoned us and said we were at the top of the list to receive assistance,” said Mrs. Woods.

To say that this couple endured a horrific experience during the hurricane is putting it lightly. Mrs. Woods vividly recalls the evening of September 12: “By 4:30am on Sunday the sea was up to our front window and coming in the house. Our sewer backed up and soon we were up to our chests in dirty water. By then, all the zinc had ripped off our roof and we were sheltering in the back bathroom under the only piece of ceiling that remained. My husband who is a stroke victim sat on the sink and I stood in front of him for support and pulled the shower curtain over to protect us from the cold rainwater. For hours we stood like that until the waters began to recede. When I tried to open the bathroom door it was jammed by debris and we remained stuck until our five Jamaican neighbours came to our rescue,” she says.

“After the storm we spent our first night on our roofless porch but knew we couldn’t spend another one there so we searched for a place with friends and relatives. This is the first time we’ve been homeless and since the storm we’ve lived in five different places: 3 1/2 weeks in Cayman Brac, Crewe Road for 2 weeks, Tropical Garden for 1 week and Savannah for the last 5 weeks.

“I’m thankful for the government for helping to rebueful night in our own home again and get a proper rest,” Mrs. Woods said.

Deadline for Grants Extended

Cabinet decided on 30 November to extend the deadline for applications for a Housing Recovery grant until further notice. “The extension of the deadline allows the HRG committee more time to process the numerous applications we continue to receive,” states Director of the Cayman Islands Development Bank Mrs. Angela Miller. Many applicants have been able to commence repairs on their homes without receiving the maximum $15,000. This leaves room for more persons to apply.”