Home repairs plan 'flawed'

By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
A SCHEME to renovate the houses of needy families could actually force the people it is supposed to help onto the street, according to municipal councillors.That is because they may have to move out while the renovations are underway, but will not be provided with temporary accommodation or a housing allowance.
Manama Municipal Councillor Sadiq Rahma said the people most in need of help could be made homeless while the BD500,000 scheme proceeds.
"The problem is that when they drew up the scheme, which includes major renovations and remodelling, they forgot about those who will be told to move out to make way for the work," said Mr Rahma, who is also the council's technical affairs committee chairman.
"They only took minor work into consideration, which could be done in a few days.
"The council has already agreed unified colours for the houses to ensure they are distinguishable and done according to a certain pattern so no renovated or remodelled homes will be different from the rest."
The project is separate from His Majesty King Hamad's Scheme for Dilapid-ated Homes, which aims to renovate 6,000 homes in five years.
Under that scheme, families who are moved out of their home while work is carried out are given a temporary housing allowance.
However, Mr Rahma said the issue of housing allowances is not the only thing slowing down the project, which will be carried out by the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry.
He said it had now been delayed for two years because of problems in carrying it out.
"The scheme was brought to us two years ago for revision, but we have not yet approved it," he said.
"There are numerous flaws in the scheme that we are trying to overcome.
"Whenever we think we are over, we are surprised that there are more flaws that require us to stop and look into."
None of the five municipal councils have yet approved the project in their area.