Outcomes are Worth the Trials

With the original Government allocation of CI$5.5 million now well on the way to being fully apportioned within the community, the Cayman Islands Development Bank this week expressed pride in being part of the process: “The outcomes are well worth the trials and tribulations we encountered,” says General Manager Angela Miller. “The work was not easy but being able to assist the over 300 families to date who will benefit from the housing recovery grants has made it all worthwhile.”

Of the 700 applications have been received at the HRG office since its inception, 300 are pending approval, and so far only 39 have been declined, for reasons varying from false claims to insufficient evidence of damage. Eligibility requirements are: that dwellings be owner-occupied, uninsured and damaged by Hurricane Ivan; and that applicants be Caymanian with household incomes of less than CI$40,000 per year. Extra consideration went to the elderly, infirm, the terminally ill, and families with young children.

All criteria are validated by the HRG committee (inclusive of a site inspection) prior to approval. A shortage of available site inspectors has caused minimal delay in the processing procedure. Any incidents of false information can also subject applicants to criminal proceedings. “Unfortunately there have been incidents of false information,” says Mrs. Miller, whose agency, the CIDB, administers the fund on behalf of Government. “It’s so important that people realize that these grants are for those with the greatest need and we therefore verify the claims before we issue any funds.

A contract for repairs is executed between the beneficiary, the contractor and the Bank so that we can monitor the progress of repairs. At the start of work, the contractor receives a deposit; once the client and site inspector agree that the work is satisfactory, the contractor receives the final allotment from the Bank.”

The main focus of the grant is to ensure that families can secure their homes. The bulk of the $15,000 grant is accordingly allocated to roof, interior walls, door and window repairs. The HRG also addresses the needs of those who have lost basic appliances and/or furnishings—up to CI$2,500 can be used for basic furnishings and up to CI$1,500 to replace items such as refrigerators and stoves.

In an effort to contribute to the restoration of Cayman’s local economy, one stipulation is that those who receive funds for furniture or appliances must purchase locally. To ensure this, the HRG issues the payment to the supplier directly. Some local suppliers have created appliance packages, keeping them in the CI$1,500 price range.

“Our initial efforts were aimed at maximizing the benefits to the community and that has not changed much,” says CIDB General Manager, Angela Miller. “The Cayman Islands Government faced the daunting challenge of having to come up with criteria to establish people’s levels of need. It was not an easy exercise as so many in the community were affected in so many different ways.”

From homes that were destroyed, to those that suffered only minor damage, the HRG worked diligently to assess applications and distribute funds – and it’s been worth every bit of the effort, Mrs. Miller concluded.