Solving Housing Needs

The Cayman Islands Recovery Operation (CIRO) reports that various land- and sea-based housing options are now being fine-tuned to benefit Grand Cayman residents who face hurricane-related accommodation needs.

Among arrangements, sites are being identified for temporary housing units, and the private sector plans to soon offer temporary cruise ship accommodations.

These developments are especially relevant to those people in hurricane shelters, as a 27 October deadline has been made for shelter residents to be assessed and their housing needs resolved, in anticipation of all government schools resuming lessons soon. Government is focusing on arrangements for various categories of its workers, in particular teachers and health care staff.

CIRO’s Housing Sub-Committee, led by Permanent Secretary Carson Ebanks, is working with the private sector to identify various temporary housing sites. It is expected the private sector will take the lead in this project, with government accommodating the process by ensuring that regulatory roadblocks are eased and sites have access to infrastructure such as water and sewer.

The Chamber of Commerce is finalising negotiations on the non-profit charter of a cruise ship, with affordable rental berths. The intended vessel can hold 1,020 people and will be used for a maximum of five months as a short-term remedy to the current shortage of land-based accommodations.

CIRO has developed an action plan with responsible persons identified and timeframes for completion of tasks.