The Home Improvement mobile app was launched on Wednesday by the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Central Planning and Housing Authority, in collaboration with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and V75 Inc., to cater to Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHAUP) applicants. Beneficiaries of the Core Home Support and Home Improvement Subsidy, under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme can now track the status of their application from start to end with the help of a new mobile app.
It is through this initiative, that applicants can now enjoy real-time updates on when they will receive the keys to their core home or receive materials to enhance their home. As the Ministry continues to explore and incorporate the use of technology in its service delivery to citizens this is the first such App coming from the agency. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, in his feature address, pointed out that, as long as individuals have access to the internet, they will be able to utilise the online platform from anywhere in the world.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, said that the app allows beneficiaries to have the power in their hands. “Everybody has a mobile device these days, and so, access to information gives you power and gives you control over your own participation in this programme.” Minister Rodrigues noted that the initiative has several benefits that can be acquired through the new access to information. She said, “One that is being very convenient for you to know the status of your application; for you to monitor your payments, for example. So, it’s very convenient for updates.” Minister Rodrigues pointed out that many of the Ministry’s beneficiaries are elderly and that lack of communication can cause them to become anxious. That she said will no longer be possible with this programme. Once selected as a beneficiary, no one is forgotten. Director of V75 Company, Asa Bouret, in his remarks, said that the application will allow persons to monitor their applications, whether it’s tracking the status of applications and much more.
This app acts as a central repository for easy, fast, and safe access to applicants’ data, timely notifications, and several other features. The solution, Bouret remarked, has three components. These are (i) the central database, where all information is stored and can be accessed at any time by applicants; (ii) the staff portal which can be accessed by staff of the CH&PA and Ministry of Housing and will facilitate better handling of applications, and (iii) the mobile application. Meanwhile, with the App officially live in the Google Play Store and the Apple Store, five families were, on Wednesday, presented the keys to their new Core Homes after being notified, via the app, that the keys were available, while another six beneficiaries for the Home Improvement Subsidy were notified that delivery of construction materials is slated for today ( Thursday, September 21, 2023.)
In an invited comment, Pauline Harry, a person who is blind, said that she is eager to receive the keys to her home. The 67-year-old woman who had reconstructed her home said she had been living uncomfortably for a year now, and was happy to have her own home once again. Meanwhile, Sabitri Persaud said that it will be her first home, adding that it will allow her to save more money. The new home-owner said she had been waiting for a year and two months and was grateful for the opportunity.
Another beneficiary, Paulette Niles, said she felt great. Niles said that, like her mom, she too did not have the chance to own her own home. She noted that she had been living with her sister for a number of years before deciding to apply. The woman said she attended every meeting, even if she was late. She encourages others to just have faith and they will get through it.
