The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

URBAN Renewal spent $2m during phase two of its Small Homes Repair Project to renovate roughly 220 homes, Urban Renewal Commission Co-Chair Algernon Allen said yesterday.

Over the next five months, Urban Renewal will repair 200 more homes, at an estimated cost of another $2m, Mr Allen said.

“That means $2m has been injected into the economy of urban communities in New Providence over the past three months,” he said.

“That means some 300 plus contracts and trades persons have been employed. That means 220 homeowners who could not afford to repair their houses were assisted by Urban Renewal. Yes, by this government.

“It is envisioned that another 200 houses will be repaired in urban and traditional communities in New Providence over the next five months, injecting another $2m plus into the economy of urban and traditional communities and employing some 200 contractors.”

At a press conference at the organisation’s headquarters yesterday, directors of the Urban Renewal Commission declared their intent to refocus and strengthen programmes aimed at improving the inner cities of the Bahamas.

Commission Co-Chair Cynthia “Mother” Pratt said the organisation will this year again aim to expand many of their initiatives.

“What we are trying to do this year is complete the Small Homes Repairs mandate. There are still a number of homes we have to complete work on,” she said.

“Also there is a great demand from the public to increase the number of Urban Renewal Centres presently in operation. You see, if there is a demand by residents in these communities that tells me that something is right.

“The work being done within these centres is truly a godsend for many persons; we are touching lives. We have communities like Pinewood, Garden Hills, Bamboo Town, South Beach, Sea Breeze that are calling for centres. That is certainly a need we are working to meet.”

According to Mrs Pratt, the work being done by Urban Renewal is “definitely saving and improving lives”. She suggested that more community leaders and politicians should stop pointing fingers and work together to improve the lives of person within urban areas.

“We here are doing all we can with the little we have, but it is clear more needs to be done on every level. It is time for everyone to do more. This is all we have, all we have is our country and we have to continue to work to fix this,” she said.

Urban Renewal has in recent years developed from a community-based policing programme into “well versed system” designed to improve the wellbeing and lives of resident of the inner city. The programme emphasises innovation and integration of efforts and resources by a range of agencies and the community at large.

Mr Allen and Mrs Pratt said 2014 was a successful year for the programme, but stressed that the Urban Renewal mandates were far from complete.

“I can say unequivocally, to all inquirers, that Urban Renewal has been proactive, creative and innovative; giving focused attention to presenting challenges and concerns,” Mr Allen said. “We have been steadfast in giving the needed assistance, notwithstanding our limited human and financial resources.”

According to the former Marathon MP, Urban Renewal continues to pursue local and international social partnerships to promote and market the programme.

“We at the Urban Renewal Commission are working most assiduously to deliver on our promises,” he said.

Last year, Mr Allen said the commission, as a part of its Urban Renewal 2.0 campaign, unveiled nearly a dozen initiatives, including phase two of the Small Home Repairs Project, the Urban Renewal Hot Spots initiative, Urban Renewal Parent’s Day, Bahamians Get Involved Programme and Peace Ambassador’s Initiative.