By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE government expects to spend in the low six-figure range repairing homes damaged by a violent microburst in eastern New Providence over the weekend, Housing and Urban Renewal Minister Keith Bell said.

He said Urban Renewal teams were sent out on Sunday and Monday to assess the destruction, which saw powerful straight-line winds of up to 100 miles per hour rip off roofs, flatten trees and batter properties. While many residents had insurance and are moving forward with claims, Mr Bell said uninsured families will receive direct government support as soon as this week.

“There are a few families who do not have insurance. And so the government, I anticipate by as early as later this week or early next week, they would start to repair some of those homes right away,” he said.

Asked about the financial commitment, he added: “It will be in the very very low six figures. It doesn’t appear to be any more than that, based on assessments from Small Home Repairs.” He said about 15 homes were damaged, with others suffering minor to moderate damage and one house sustaining “extreme damage.”

Residents told The Tribune they were relieved no one was injured but remained anxious about how long rebuilding would take.

Mr Bell also updated ongoing government housing projects. He said rental homes in San Salvador are on track to open “around December, give or take,” while construction is progressing on subdivisions in Andros at Little Harbour — which has roughly 140 home lots — and Breezy Hill. Additional developments are being considered at Mango Bush and Money Rock.

On Eleuthera, housing projects are planned at Ocean Hole and Hatchet Bay, while construction is continuing in Abaco’s Central Pines and Spring City. In Grand Bahama, he cited active work in West End’s Heritage subdivision, West Heights, Bahamia and Garden Villas, though he acknowledged obtaining approvals there has been a “tedious process.”

The minister added that his ministry is exploring ways to encourage Bahamians to return to the Family Islands. “We are in the process now of considering to construct homes as well as perhaps come up with some sort of a promotion of going back to the island where we’re going to sell the home lots inside there,” he said.