June 21, 2018March 3, 2020

SMDF Continues Senior Home Construction & Repairs

by smdfsxmin Newstags , ,
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SMDF Continues Senior Home Construction & Repairs

St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) has been moving full speed ahead with the home construction and repair component of its Senior Relief Project which is financed by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. With a group of committed contractors working diligently on the project, the Fund has successfully completed works to 25 homes.

“Over the past few months, SMDF has been working almost around the clock, pushing to execute works on as many homes as possible,” said Managing Director Keith Franca. This push has led to SMDF completing repairs to 23 homes and building 2 brand new concrete homes that had been completely destroyed by hurricane Irma. “We are taking the position of building back better, so homes that we work on are being constructed more securely to better protect residents,” he continued.

In the coming weeks, the number of completed homes will be growing by an additional 28 dwellings. Presently 5 new concrete homes are under construction and 12 homes are being repaired, all of which are expected to be completed by mid-July. Additionally, SMDF signed contracts for 11 home repair projects and 5 full new rebuilds on June 8, maintaining its momentum of full speed ahead.

Together, the 25 already completed dwellings, along with the soon to be completed 12 new homes and 16 repair works, total 53 home repair and construction projects led by SMDF. “We are very proud of our progress in this project and even prouder of our contributions to St. Maarten’s recovery – we hope to continue down this path for the people of St. Maarten,” concluded Franca.

In photo: Ursula August, daughter of Ernest Roumou, and SMDF Managing Director Keith Franca stand before the newly constructed concrete home built for Mr. Roumou. Ernest Roumou, a stalwart of the St. Peters community, had his home destroyed by hurricane Irma and is currently living at the recently established transitional shelter. SMDF expects Mr. Roumou’s home to be completed by the first week of July. Mr. Roumou’s home is one of the 12 new homes being built by SMDF.