Government is taking steps to address the plight of the last five remaining victims of the 2007 Arch Cot tragedy.
Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development Steve Blackett announced yesterday during debate on the 2012-2013 Estimates that Government had relocated the three individuals and one family of two who had been staying at the Vauxhall Senior Citizens Home.
For the first six months, he said, Government would foot the bill for private accommodation identified by the Welfare Department and the National Assistance Board.
“We’re going to have a review after that time and if the need arises for them to be given further assistance, we would do that,” he later told the MIDWEEK NATION.
“It will depend on them finding jobs and if they can stand on their own two feet again. Don’t forget these are people who were renting before at Arch Cot but we are mindful that we have to hold their hands a little bit and help them to reintegrate into regular society.”
The rent bill in the first instance is estimated to be between $21 600 and $26 400, with rents for each household at $900 to $1 000 per month.
Blackett said it was important that the families were taken out of the environment and “resettled in a regular neighbourhood kind of development”.
The minister also said those residents who were involved in business ventures were provided with equipment so that they could continue in their enterprise.The five were among an initial 19 people housed at the Vauxhall Senior Citizens Home following the disaster on August 26, 2007, when an apartment building collapsed into a cave, resulting in the death of a family of five.
On two occasions at their temporary location in Vauxhall, the families were given notice by management of the Senior Citizens Home to vacate the premises.
However, Government intervened on both occasions to ensure they were housed.
Meantime, the St Michael Central MP has responded to claims by the Opposition that social agencies would suffer as a result of allocations made in the Budget.
He said that was not the case, pointing out that this year the Welfare Department had been allotted $26.1 million, up from $25.9 million last year. (JS)
