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Housing rebuild grant recipient receives first $50k cheque

-Mr. Ted Rabsatt to receive a total of $150k to rebuild home
April 15th, 2023 | Tags: housing BVI Housing Grant Virgin Islands
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) handing over the cheque to Mr Ted Robsatt. Photo: GIS/File
LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI - The Ministry of Health and Social Development has taken another step in its housing recovery efforts by issuing a housing rebuild grant to beneficiary, Mr. Ted Rabsatt who is the recipient of a $150k grant.

Mr. Rabsatt's through the Housing Recovery Assistance Programme funding to assist with the rebuild of his new home, will be issued in three installments of $50k. 

According to a release from the Government Information Service, the first installment was handed over to the beneficiary by the Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). 

Premier Wheatley, acting in his capacity as District Representative, thanked the Ministry of Health and Social Development for bringing to life Mr. Rabsatt’s dream of a new home.

"We know that he waited a long time and of course, he has been living in less than satisfactory conditions and of course, he was made a promise that his house will be rebuilt and today that promise has been fulfilled with this grant which would be able to rebuild his home," Premier Wheatley said.

Programme designed to rebuild & repair homes 

Mr. Rabsatt was among hundreds of Virgin Islanders whose homes were destroyed during the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

The Housing Recovery Assistance Programme, established in the aftermath of the two category five hurricanes, was implemented to assist persons through various grants.

Honourable Marlon Penn said the process for the housing assistance grant for Mr. Rabsatt commenced in 2018 and is delighted he can begin the process of owning his new home.

"I am happy to be here as Minister to fulfil this promise that was made to Mr. Rabsatt. He has been a good ambassador for the Territory, someone who we could always count on in the community. He even gave up some of his property to facilitate a sidewalk in the community," Mr Penn said. 

Mr. Rabsatt also extended his appreciation to the team at the Ministry of Health and Social Development stating, "I appreciate everything they have done for me. It was a long time and a long wait but I give thanks that we can start."

The Minister for Social Development added that Mr. Rabsatt is a community-minded individual and that it is fitting that he be given a small token of appreciation.

21 Responses to “Housing rebuild grant recipient receives first $50k cheque”

  • Illegal.. (15/04/2023, 11:46) Like (32) Dislike (6) Reply
    9 days before elections. This should be an illegal act. This is clearly politiking. Public purse should never be used for this reason. .I am certain it's along time this good gentleman needs this help. Why now? .Laws need to be put in place to prevent this behaviour from continuing
  • WE PUSHING P ALL THE WAY (15/04/2023, 12:41) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
    HE WILL GET THE OTHER TWO CHECKS FROM THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE PERLINE
    • @we pushing p (17/04/2023, 06:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Kedrick refuse to close off on this deal yrs ago. Imagine we had Kedrick in district 7 soooooo long doing nothing much.smh
  • asura (15/04/2023, 12:50) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    pure polticks
  • troy (15/04/2023, 12:51) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    It is fitting to give a small token of election gimmick. Like public servants’ increment this was disgracefully overdue.
  • Nah (15/04/2023, 13:13) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    They should not give him the money. Organize everything so the contractor gets paid and RDA control weekly or Monthly payments to the Construction company.
    • Jack and Jill (15/04/2023, 20:51) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Nah. I agree and yet disagree. Some contractors get the money and they do not give quality work.Some of the materials are left overs they had from other jobs. Give the home owners the money and let them pay the contractors when they complete clean and good repairs..
      • WTF (16/04/2023, 17:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        @Jack and Jill
        The home owner is midnight, so they can't give him the money to manage. The money will be gone and he won't have a house. Maybe a honest responsible family member and hold that person responsible for the disbursements of the funds. Why can't the Ministry make the payments to the contractor as work progresses? I am only throwing out suggestions, bur one I am very serious about is, "don't put the money in midnight's hands". Happy to see that he is getting some place decent to luve though.
    • selah (17/04/2023, 15:57) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree with you Nah build the house for him and turn over the keys like you all usually do. One a drug man always a drug man. What happen to RDA for building of house?
  • Hmm (15/04/2023, 14:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    his land is very low and always flooded I hope they fill it up first.
  • Hmmmm (15/04/2023, 14:45) Like (13) Dislike (10) Reply
    COi..you seeing this right?
    .
  • Hmm (15/04/2023, 15:18) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    my roof went and everything I own get damaged I was even given a bed sheet to sleep on. my landlord put on back a roof and did repairs now that want more money for their house. I lost everything now they want more rent if I want back my place.
  • Lb (15/04/2023, 15:52) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    5 years after he applied and 6 years after the hurricanes???
  • Fat Hog’s Bay (15/04/2023, 17:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    He didn’t get no money nor check! The check is in the contractor’s name..By the way, Dr. Pickering started this , but he got voted out in 2019..????????
  • Interesting (15/04/2023, 18:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A social home invitation to bid was done on this. It had site evisit and bids submitted according to the design, tender instructions and blank bill of quantities. So whats this about now
  • Hmm (15/04/2023, 20:03) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
    So I hear Mr. was living overseas I can only assume he was paying taxes overseas and not here but now in his olden age he return and he is getting a brand new house. I could be wrong somebody enlighten me please. It have people with school kids who need this help, it have people who contributed here who need this help. Coi
  • lodger (15/04/2023, 21:08) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This report doesnt make sense. Has the house been built yet? Why has it taken over five years? Why is he, or is it his contractor, only getting one third of the amount?
    • @lodger (17/04/2023, 06:18) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

      If Midnight my cousin had build his fri**ng house when he had w**d money- he had good advice! he would not have to be here looking like a fool



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