Elderly man gets new home six years after Hurricane Irma

Ted Rabsatt — a man of many years — may have thought his dream of owning a home would never come true.

The Fat Hog’s Bay resident was among several who lost his dwelling when the 2017 hurricanes visited the BVI. But thanks to the Ministry of Health and Social Development’s Housing Recovery Assistance Programme, Rabsatt recently received the keys to his very own home.

And just like that, hope was restored.

Minister for Health & Social Development Vincent Wheatley was part of the team that handed over the keys to Mr Rabsatt. He commended the Housing Unit in his ministry for making the project possible.

“I am very pleased that we are able to continue to provide homes to persons who lost their homes in the hurricanes of 2017. We will continue to do this as long as there’s a need to make sure persons receive shelter. I am very pleased to see this project finally come to fruition,” Minister Wheatley said.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, acting in his capacity as Seventh District Representative, congratulated Mr Rabsatt on his new home and acknowledged the difficulties the elderly resident faced since the 2017 hurricanes.

“I want to congratulate the contractor Autland because the house flew up, and in no time. Mr Ted was able to have his house and we pray God’s blessings upon him as he has a shelter from the rain, from the heat, and all the different elements, which is something that we cannot underestimate in our community.”

Meanwhile, Eighth District Representative and former Minister for Health, Marlon Penn said he was grateful the project was completed for a deserving citizen like Mr Rabsatt who has done tremendous work in terms of the social aspect of the community.

“He has given his property to facilitate the sidewalks that you see here today. He is very deserving of this project, and I want to thank him for his patience. I know it took a while to get to this point,” Honourable Penn said.

Mr Rabsatt expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Social Development for providing him with the opportunity to own his new home after years living in a dwelling that wasn’t ideal.

Many persons lost their homes during the 2017 hurricanes. Many have still not been able to fully repair the damage, especially since local insurance companies paid out costs far below what many were expecting when they filed for home insurance.

After the hurricanes, the government started the Housing Recovery Assistance Programme to assist with replacing and repairing homes that were lost. Since then, more than 20 homes have been built and over 200 have been repaired.