Former government minister Conrad Enill says the decision by the new PNM administration to reduce the qualifying income for nationals seeking Housing Development Corporation (HDC) homes is appropriate in the prevailing economic conditions.
The decision has been criticised, with Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar claiming it is illegal and former housing minister Dr Roodal Moonilal threatening to lead a demonstration outside Parliament against the move.
However Enill, who served as Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Minister of Energy in a former PNM government, said the decision is good one in the prevailing economic conditions. He said Government does have access to the amount of money it had previously, so the new policy will be “only to serve those individuals who are in need.” He said the Rowley administration “has taken a view that it will only support as part of its public policy programme, individuals of low income.”
Enill said if the monthly salary of an individual or his family is more than $25,000, “that individual has the wherewithal to go to the private sector and purchase a property using the private sector mechanisms that are currently available.” He said Government is seeking to provide housing support for citizens “who actually need it rather those who don’t. I think that is the fundamental difference between the former and new position.”
Asked whether the decision was illegal, Enill, quickly replied: “No it is not. It cannot be illegal because it is Government policy.” He said a similar position is being considered in the Government Assistance for Tertiary Education (Gate) programme.
“The state will intervene only in circumstances where the citizens cannot get benefits elsewhere and in circumstances where you have less dollars available to you, that is one of the policy choices we have to make,” he said.
Enill said the state did not have much choice in the matter “because there is a $23 billion gap that it has to close.” He added: “On the basis of available information, I think the policy position is appropriate.”