The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

OVER 3,000 homes have been assessed for hurricane damage to date by the Department Social Services on Grand Bahama.

Assistant Director of Social Services Paula Marshall revealed on Wednesday that the department has completed 3,050 home assessments on the island.

In early February, the government expects to launch its home repair programme to assist homeowners that sustained damage during Hurricane Dorian in early September. Only those who have been assessed by Social Services will be included on the list for the home repair programme.

At a press conference held at the Disaster Reconstruction Authority, Katherine Smith, managing director of the Authority, said the agency will be coordinating home repair efforts with both international and local NGOs on the island to maximise coverage.

She indicated that there are still a lot of people in the community who have not been assessed for whatever reason. She said those people should go the Department of Social Services.

According to Mrs Marshall, the department is still completing assessment applications between the hours of 9am to 2pm at the island's National Insurance Board building, where due to limited space they are only able to accommodate about 30 to 40 applicants daily.

However, she said officials will be relocating to their regular office space in the Sun Plaza on West Settler's Way on Monday, January 20, where they will be able to accommodate more persons.

Mrs Smith stated that the Authority plans to utilise a voucher system for the home repair programme, and is now meeting with a number of local vendors to provide goods and services on the island.

"Because 70 percent of the island was underwater, we do not want to restrict vouchers to just building supplies as people lost appliances, furniture, and bedding, and we are trying to make sure people can get the help they need."

Mrs Smith explained that the Authority also plans to meet with all NGOs who are also doing home repairs on the island.

"What the Authority is attempting to do is organise as best we can all of the home repair programme projects going on by all international NGOs, and churches as well.

"We believe if we do not coordinate the home repair programme properly, we may find a situation where some are receiving much more help and others no help at all, she said.

Additional assistance is being offered by the Department of Social Services for victims of the storm.

Mrs Marshall said that hurricane victims who have been able to get back in their homes and apartments can receive assistance with furniture and appliances--strictly for refrigerators, stoves, and microwaves.

"Government has also made the decision to assist with beds," she added. "This assistance is for hurricane victims, and persons who we have assessed will benefit from this."