The Ministry of Health and Social Development has taken another step in its housing recovery efforts by issuing a housing rebuild grant to beneficiary, Mr. Ted Rabsatt.

Mr. Rabsatt will receive a total rebuild grant of $150,000.00 under the Housing Recovery Assistance Programme to assist with the rebuild of his new home which will be issued in three installments of $50,000.00.

The first installment was handed over to the beneficiary by the Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Marlon Penn and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley.

Premier Wheatley, acting in his capacity as District Representative, thanked the Ministry of Health and Social Development for bringing to life Mr. Rabsatt’s dream of a new home.

"We know that he waited a long time and of course, he has been living in less than satisfactory conditions and of course, he was made a promise that his house will be rebuilt and today that promise has been fulfilled with this grant which would be able to rebuild his home," Premier Wheatley said.

Mr. Rabsatt is among hundreds of Virgin Islanders whose homes were destroyed during the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The Housing Recovery Assistance Programme, established in the aftermath of the two category five hurricanes, was implemented to assist persons through various grants.

Honourable Marlon Penn said the process for the housing assistance grant for Mr. Rabsatt commenced in 2018 and is delighted he can begin the process of owning his new home.

Honourable Penn said, "I am happy to be here as Minister to fulfil this promise that was made to Mr. Rabsatt. He has been a good ambassador for the Territory, someone who we could always count on in the community. He even gave up some of his property to facilitate a sidewalk in the community.”

The Minister for Social Development added that Mr. Rabsatt is a community-minded individual and that it is fitting that he be given a small token of appreciation.

“His current home was destroyed by the hurricanes of 2017, and we started a programme back in 2018 to repair homes that were destroyed by the hurricanes. I am happy a fitting individual like Mr. Rabsatt has gotten the privilege of having such a home being built,” Honourable Penn said.

Mr. Rabsatt also extended his appreciation to the team at the Ministry of Health and Social Development stating, "I appreciate everything they have done for me. It was a long time and a long wait but I give thanks that we can start."

The Ministry of Health and Social Development remains committed to improving the housing need of the residents of the Virgin Islands.