News

Financially stable people masquerading squatters

June 26, 2019 12:30 pm

The Housing Ministry’s socio-economic survey will investigate the financial status of people living in squatter settlements.

Minister responsible, Premila Kumar says there have been concerns raised that some people in these settlements are not genuine.

Kumar reveals there are people earning a good income who take advantage of squatter housing.

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“We will conduct that to find out the ability of some people settling in that area, whether they will be able to pay the market rate or should the government assist them financially but a system will be worked out and that will be done through the squatter control unit.”

The Minister adds the survey will clearly establish who is cheating the system.

“We’ve seen in the squatters – there are a lot of illegal constructions going on. In other words, somebody’s got a house already – they’re extending it and you’re not supposed to do that. The reason, because they think when the land is developed – they will get a bigger land. In reality that’s not going to happen. Because we have to look at the sub-division and the size of the lots that we’re going to produce and that’s the lots that are going to be given out.”

The Ministry recently established a squatter control unit, which will ensure houses are not built anywhere and anyhow.