There are over 180,000 applicants on the public housing database. This figure reflects the increasing demand by low and middle income families for Government-subsidised housing. This demand for housing may expose the public to incidents of fraud where applicants may decide to pay cash to nefarious individuals in the hope of expediting their housing application.
In light of this, the HDC has made a firm but simple statement in the public domain through a recently-launched public education campaign to caution the public about scammers. Accompanying relevant images and graphics, is the sentence: HDC does not request payment to expedite a housing application. The campaign is intended to educate citizens so that they are empowered to reject such activities and also report these situations to the HDC or the TT Police Service’s Fraud Squad Division.
According to Managing Director Brent Lyons, “we at the HDC, understand the importance of shelter to the average low and middle income citizen and this is why we are actively constructing over twenty housing developments across the country. However, this urgent need for housing must not lead one to participate in criminal activities. Therefore, if you have been selected for a government-subsidised home and did not pay your administrative fees or down-payment at one of the legitimate cashiers located at the HDC Head Office, nor did you receive an official receipt, then you would have participated in a fraudulent activity and committed a crime.”
It is our hope, that at the end of the campaign, citizens will be aware of the correct procedure for application and processing of government-subsidised homes and will be less at risk of individuals intent on preying on their vulnerabilities.
This public education and awareness campaign will incorporate print media placements, digital media, banners, billboards, electronic sign boards and will run for three months (in the first instance).
