Assistance for Home Repair

The Housing Policy, Facilitation and Implementation Unit (HPFIU) and the Programme Monitoring and Coordinating Unit (PMCU) are both initiatives of the Ministry designed to assist low income households to effect critical home repairs thereby maintaining the integrity of the existing housing stock.

The primary mandate of the HPFIU is to administer the Home Improvement Grant Programme (HIG) throughout Trinidad, adhering to all approved policies and procedures.

The PMCU monitors the Execution of the National Settlements Programme 2nd Stage, Phase 1, which is managed through a Loan Contract agreement undertaken by GORTT in June, 2002 with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The PMCU was established to oversee the execution of the Home Improvement Subsidy Programme (HIS).

Financial Assistance for Home Repair

The Home Improvement Grant is a Non-Repayable Grant of up to $15,000.00 which is disbursed in two tranches of $7,500.00 each. The Home Improvement Subsidy provides a Non- Repayable dollar for dollar matching subsidy of up to $20,000.00.
What projects can be undertaken under these programmes?

1. Safety and Disaster Preparedness
   
   • External works to protect the integrity of the house;
   • Roof repairs;
   • External and internal wall construction etc.
2. Improvement of Health and Sanitation
   
   • Electrical installation;
   • Bathroom & Toilets;
   • Cupboard Works;
   • Painting etc
3. Improvement of Basic Security
   
   • Installation of doors, windows and burglarproofing.
4. Reduction of Overcrowding
   
   • Expanding space available by simple renovation, extension and conversion.

Eligibility Criteria

Home Improvement Grant
Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for the grant:

• Must be a resident citizen of Trinidad and Tobago;
• Must be at least 18 years old;
• Combined household incomes must not exceed $5,000.00 per month;
• Must own the house or have legal authority to occupy the land;
• Must not have benefited from a similar Home Improvement Programme.

Home Improvement Subsidy
Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for the Subsidy:

• Must be a resident citizen of Trinidad and Tobago;
• Must be at least 18 years old;
• Combined household income must not exceed $7,000.00 per month;
• Must own the house or have legal authority to occupy the land;
• Must not have benefited from a similar Home Improvement Programme.
• Must be able to show proof of matching contribution that would be applied to the repairs. The matching contribution may be a combination of savings, materials on site, work done within the past 12 months or unpaid labour provided by the applicant (sweat equity). Evidence of saving must be provided through a letter from a financial institution such as a Bank, Credit Union or Unit Trust Corporation.

NB: The applicant is required to use his/her contribution before the Ministry disburses the Subsidy.