By The Star Staff
Housing Secretary William Rodríguez Rodríguez handed over land titles on Wednesday to 28 families in the Humacao region, as well as another 11 vouchers under the materials assistance program for low-income families.
The official also signed an agreement with Humacao Mayor Julio Geigel Pérez.
“This allows individuals and families to have a safe home, plan, make decisions, and apply for and benefit from grants and programs, which undoubtedly contributes to the improvement of their quality of life and self-sufficiency,” Rodríguez said.
The delivery of the property titles to the families took place in a community ceremony at the Humacao Fine Arts Center. Of the 28 property titles delivered, seven correspond to lots in the town of Juncos, four in Yabucoa, five in Humacao, two in Maunabo, five in Ceiba, three in Las Piedras and two in Naguabo.
In addition, the Housing secretary gave over $14,500 to 11 families in the towns of Las Piedras, Yabucoa and Humacao so that they can make improvements to their homes as part of the department’s Material Assistance Program.
“After adjustments we have made and savings achieved … we can reactivate this important program that allows families to make improvements to their homes, which are sometimes small, but that make a big difference so that their homes are safer and that otherwise they could not afford,” Rodríguez said.
Meanwhile, the agreement signed by the secretary and the mayor authorizes the administration of the Padre Rivera residential project to make improvements to the property, thereby enabling it so that social services can be provided to the population of Humacao.
The residential complex is composed of five structures with 18 apartments, which are currently unoccupied, which were previously used as housing for the elderly. With the agreement of understanding, which is valid for 25 years, the municipality of Humacao is responsible for the administration, maintenance, development and occupation of the property.