♫♫ >>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ ♫♫ >>> WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

I´M ADRIAN WILLIAMS.

WE RECENTLY PASSED A FOUR-YEAR MARK SINCE THE BACK TO BACK HURRICANES OF 2017 AND RECOVERED MANY AGENCIES WORKING TO REBUILD A STRONGER AND MORE EFFICIENT VIRGIN ISLANDS, WHICH INCLUDES COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL HEAR FROM THE MANY PEOPLE LEADING THE CHARGE TO CREATE MODERN AND RESILIENT HOUSING COMMUNITIES, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY ARE HERE TO GIVE US UPDATES ON THEIR VARIOUS RECOVERY PROJECTS HAPPENING ON ALL THREE ISLANDS.

BUT FIRST, HERE´S THE MOST RECENT UPDATE ON THE ONGOING RECOVERY PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

>> FROM THE WTJX STUDIO IN ST. CROIX, AFTER BEING DISCLOSED TO DAMAGE IF 2017, THE ONLY EMERGENCY OUTPATIENT CLINIC ON SAINT JOHN HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR FULL RESTORATION.

DARRYL SMALLS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TERRITORIAL HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT TEAM IS ON LOCATION TO TELL US MORE.

>> THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER AS WE KNOW WAS SEVERELY IMPACTED FOLLOWING HURRICANE MARIA.

WE RECEIVED THROUGH THE FEDERAL FEMA, THE DECLARATION WE WILL RECEIVE FUNDING FOR THE REPLACEMENT.

WE BEGAN THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT WITH THE SMITH GROUP.

WE HAD A KICKOFF MEETING LAST WEEK.

THIS WEEK WE WILL BEGIN OUR FIRST OF MANY WEEKLY CONTRACTUAL MEETINGS AS WE DEVELOP THE PROGRAM FOR THE MYRAH KEATING HEALTH CENTER.

AS WELL AS THE REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER.

ONE OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES, OF COURSE, THAT WE HAVE HERE ON THE ISLAND OF SAINT JOHN IS BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION, UNIQUE LOCATION.

HOWEVER, WE KNOW THAT WORKING WITH ALL OF THE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND OUR BOARDS THAT WE WILL MOVE POST HASTE FOR THIS PROJECT.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT WE WILL HAVE THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

DURING THAT PERIOD WE´LL HAVE A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEETINGS, TOWN MEETINGS, OF WHICH THE COMMUNITY WILL ALSO BE INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND ULTIMATELY THE DESIGN FOR THIS NEW FACILITY.

SHORTLY AFTER THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE COMPLETED, OR I SHOULD SAY SIMULTANEOUSLY, AT SOME POINT WE WILL BEGIN THE DEMOLITION OR INTERNAL DEMOLITION OF THE FACILITY.

THAT WILL ENABLE US TO MOVE POST HASTE ONCE THE FINAL DRAWINGS ARE COMPLETED.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT THIS PROJECT WILL NOT EXCEED MORE THAN 36 MONTHS.

FROM START OF DEMOLITION TO THE FINAL OCCUPANCY AND OPENING OF THE FACILITY.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT FACILITY JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERRITORY, AND THE RESIDENTS OF SAINT JOHN, I WANT YOU TO REST ASSURED THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURE THAT WE PROVIDE A QUALITY FACILITY WITH THE STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT THAT WILL BE ABLE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF SAINT JOHN AND VISITORS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> THE HEALTH CENTER IS ANTICIPATED TO BEGIN IN THE SUMMER OF 2022 AND SHOULD BE FINISHED BY DECEMBER 2024.

U.S. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AWARDED THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES $705,000 TO COMPLETE REPAIRS AND REPLACE DAMAGED CONTENT AT THE ENID AND BOB PUBLIC LIBRARY ON ST. THOMAS.

SO FAR $7.5 MILLION HAS BEEN APPROPRIATED FOR THE DESIGN WORK.

THE CONSTRUCTION, SOLICITATION WILL BE ISSUED THIS NOVEMBER TO SECURE A CONTRACT TO FULLY RESTORE THE FACILITY BY NOVEMBER 2022.

THE OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING OF DISASTER RECOVERY THANKS FEMA FOR THIS AWARD AND LOOKS FORWARD TO THE COMPLETION OF ALL THE TERRITORIES´ LIBRARIES BY JANUARY 2023.

THE SAINT JOHN COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS WIN RETROFIT PROGRAM IS BACK ON TRACK.

AFTER SUPPLY CHAIN DELAYS CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVES IAN SANWA AND DEPUTY MITIGATION OFFICER GIVES US AN UPDATE.

>> I´M EXCITED TO SHOWCASE THIS PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SAINT JOHN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WHICH IS A 501C3 ORGANIZATION, NONPROFIT.

WE HAVE COMBINED FORCES TO HELP OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS OF SAINT JOHN.

>> TODAY WE´RE HERE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE HAPPENING ON THE ISLAND OF SAINT JOHN.

THE SAINT JOHN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WAS AWARDED $7,030,000.

IT WILL RETROFIT HOMES AND STRENGTHEN HOMES AGAINST HURRICANE FORCE WINDS, DEBRIS, RAIN AND OTHER RELATED HAZARDS.

THE SCOPE OF WORK IN THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES STRUCTURAL REBUILD OF ROOFS OR STRENGTHEN OF EXISTING ROOFS.

PROTECTING BUILDINGS, OPENINGS, DOORS.

TODAY THE PROGRAM HAS COMPLETED PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF 33 OF THE 97 HOMES AND CONDUCTED STRUCTURAL, ENGINEERING, ASSESSMENTS FOR 12 OF THE 97 HOMES.

CURRENTLY THE DETAILS OF THE 97 HOMES, SEVEN OF THE 97 HOMES HAVE GONE TO THE BIDDING AND THE AWARD PROCESS.

TODAY TWO HOMES ARE AT 100% COMPLETE.

THREE ARE OVER 90%, AND TWO ARE CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS.

THE NEXT BLOCK OF FIVE HOMES WILL GO THROUGH THE RFP PROCESS AND IS CURRENTLY BEING PREPARED BY THE SAINT JOHN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE OF THIS PROJECT IS MARCH 7, 2024.

THIS PROGRAM IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE TERRITORY, AND A PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY SAFER, STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT.

>> THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS COMPLETED ITS FIRST DEMOLITION PROJECT AT THE ARTHUR RICHARDS HIGH SCHOOL.

THE ARCHITECT AND THE PRESIDENT OF CONSOLIDATED ASPHALT AND CIVIL WORKS, LAWRENCE RICHARDS, HAS THE DETAILS.

>> AS YOU ARE AWARE, WE ARE RECOVERING FROM THE DEVASTATION WROUGHT BY HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA, AND ONE OF THE SCHOOLS THAT WAS DESTROYED WAS THE ARTHUR RICHARDS, JR., HIGH SCHOOL.

SO WE ARE STANDING ON THE SITE OF THAT SCHOOL, AND WE DID MAKE THINGS SAFE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THE MODULAR CAMPUS WHICH IS BEHIND ME BY REMOVING AND DEMOLISHING THE CLASSROOMS AND BUILDINGS THAT HAD BEEN DESTROYED.

>> THE WORK ALSO INCLUDED ASBESTOS REMOVAL AS WELL AS SITE REGRADING.

WE STARTED THE PROJECT LAST SEPTEMBER AND STARTED ASBESTOS ABATEMENT AROUND THAT TIME AS WELL IN OCTOBER.

IT TOOK ABOUT FIVE TO SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE IT, GET THE PROJECT -- ALL THE ASBESTOS COMPLETELY ABATED.

AROUND JUNE OF THIS YEAR, WE EXTENDED THE CONTRACT TO DO ALL THE SITE GRADING, ALL OF THE DRAINAGE.

I´D ALSO BE REMISS IF I DIDN´T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO MY STAFF, TO THE FOLKS, RUBEN VELASQUEZ, BUDDY BERG, AND SEVERAL OTHERS ON THE STAFF WHO ARE OUT HERE RUNNING THIS PROJECT FOR ME.

>> THE NEXT STEP IS TO ALSO DEMOLISH THE EDMOND WILLIAMS SCHOOL, AND THAT IS GOING TO BE THE SITE WHERE WE REBUILD THE NEW ARTHUR RICHARDS SCHOOL.

WHEN WE REBUILD IT, IT WILL BE A PRE-K TO 8 SCHOOL.

WE WILL HAVE SEPARATE BUILDINGS AND LEARNING COMMUNITIES FOR THE UPPER GRADES AND THE LOWER GRADES, AND WE´LL HAVE A SEPARATE BUILDING JUST FOR THE -- OUR LITTLE LIST ONES, PRE-KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE WAS RECENTLY OBLIGATED $4.7 MILLION TO REFURBISH THEIR OFFICES ON ST. THOMAS.

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER ELLIOTT TELLS US MORE.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE IS THE FINANCIAL HUB OF GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.

AFTER THE 2017 STORM, THE FACILITY SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND OPERATIONAL CAPACITY WAS SEVERELY IMPACTED.

THIS OBLIGATION WILL COVER REPAIRS TO ALL FIVE BUILDINGS AND THE PARKING AREA.

RENOVATING EXISTING STRUCTURES ON ST. THOMAS IS CRITICAL TO THE DEPARTMENT GOALS OF AUGMENTING PERSONNEL AND STREAMLINING INTERNAL OPERATIONS.

THE DON´T OF FINANCE IS GRATEFUL FOR THIS OBLIGATION AND WE´LL UTILIZE THESE FUNDS TO ENSURE THAT OUR BUILDINGS ARE STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND ABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS WHEN FACED WITH INCLEMENT WEATHER.

>> THE ARCHITECT IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN WORKING ON THE NEW FACILITY DESIGN BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH, AND DRAWINGS SHOULD BE FINALIZED BY MAY 2022.

ONCE COMPLETE, THE PROJECT WILL BE PUT OUT TO BID.

BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS, AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY SHOULD VISIT THE ODR WEBSITE FOR AN UP TO DATE LIST OF OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DETAILED INFORMATION.

THIS MONTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF PROPERTY AND PROCUREMENT IS SOLICITING PROPOSALS FROM QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS SO THE STREET COMPLEX AND ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.

THEY ARE ALSO OUT FOR THE SWAN LIBRARY IN SAINT JOHN AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITY ON ST. THOMAS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS AS WELL AS UP TO DATE NEWS ON ALL DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, LOG ON TO WWW.USBIODR.COM.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, LLARISA.

I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BEING JOINED ON SET TODAY BY NONE OTHER THAN MY FAITHFUL COHOST, DARRYL GIF GRIFFITH AND THE HEALTH AND FINANCE AUTHORITY.

AND LET´S ALSO WELCOME TO THE SHOW ROBERT GRAHAM, DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HIS WOMAN OF BUSINESS, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER MRS. LYDIA POWELL.

WELCOME.

IT´S TRULY GREAT TO HAVE ALL OF YOU HERE ON "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

TODAY WE´RE TALKING HOUSING, AND AS WELL AS YOU ACTUALLY HAVE THE MOST MONEY, MR. GRIFFITH.

>> NEXT TO YOU.

>> SO, YOU GET TO TELL US A LOT OF WHAT´S GOING ON.

WHAT´S ON THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

GIVE US AN UPDATE OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING TOMORROW.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE LOCAL CONTRACTORS FIXING HOMES FOR A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE TERRITORY, AND HAPPY TO REPORT WE DID AN RFP FOR 200 HOMES FOR ENVISION IN SEPTEMBER.

AND THOSE 200 HOMES ARE BEING EVALUATED RIGHT NOW AND WE´RE GOING TO SELECT THE CONTRACTOR BY THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER, SO THAT´S SOME EXCITING NEWS TO HAVE, OVER 200 HOMES THAT WILL BE UNDER DEVELOPMENT, GETTING FIXED, ADDED TO THE NUMBER OF HOMES WE´VE ALREADY DONE IN THE TERRITORY.

BECAUSE, REMEMBER, WE´VE ALREADY DONE OVER 1500 PERMANENT REPAIRS IN THE TERRITORY.

THIS WILL KEEP INCREASING THE NUMBER SO WE CAN SERVE THE PEOPLE OF VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> WE´RE TALKING ABOUT HAVING 200 HOMES AT THE SAME TIME.

>> YES, MA´AM.

>> THAT´S FANTASTIC NEWS.

THE OTHER THING ON THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE IS THE FACT THERE IS ALL OF THIS LUMBER OUTSIDE OF THE ALEXANDER HENDERSON SCHOOL.

>> YES.

>> YOU KNOW, TELL US WHAT´S GOING ON WITH THE PLAN FOR THIS LUMBER AND HOW IT´S GOING TO BE UTILIZED.

>> SURE, SURE.

IN JULY, FEMA TOLD US -- FEMA GAVE US THE GREAT NEWS THAT THEY WOULD GIVE US THE FUNDS TO PURCHASE ALL OF THAT LUMBER THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY FROM THE STEP PROGRAM.

SO THAT WAS THE GREAT NEWS THAT WE RECEIVED IN JULY.

IN AUGUST, AS YOU KNOW, WE STORED IT AT THE SUNSHINE PLAZA AND SUNSHINE TOLD US THEY WANTED US OUT OF THERE.

SO IN AUGUST WE CONTACTED THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WE GOT PERMISSION AT THE VIFHA TO USE THE COOL.

SO IMMEDIATELY AFTER SIGNED PERMISSION, STARTED MOVING THE LUMBER OVER TO THE SCHOOL.

THAT LUMBER THAT YOU SEE THERE, IT´S GOING TO START IN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER, THAT´S GOING TO BE THE LUMBER FOR THE 200 HOMES.

SO WE´RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT LUMBER OUT OF THERE, START TAKING IT OUT AND USING IT AT OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY SO WE CAN REPAIR THEIR HOMES.

>> SO THAT LUMBER IS GOING TO BE USED FOR THE 200 HOMES AND YOU EXPECT TO GET THAT CONTRACT STARTED IN OCTOBER.

>> YES, MA´AM.

>> WE´LL START SEEING THE CONTRACT, THE WINNING BIDDER USING THAT LUMBER?

>> DEFINITELY, START SEEING THE WINNING BIDDER IN OCTOBER AND WE´LL START MOVING OUT THOSE LUMBER IN THE LATTER PART OF OCTOBER, MOST LIKELY EARLY PART OF NOVEMBER.

>> GOOD NEWS.

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS?

>> OH, MAN, WE HAVE A TON GOING ON.

WE HAVE SOME GREAT NEWS, TOO, AS WELL HAPPENING WITH FORTUNA.

WE DID THE OPENING A YEAR AGO IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.

WE PUT IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE WORK.

WITH THAT NOW WE´RE PREPARED TO DO RFP FOR OVER 56 HOMES IN FORTUNA.

>> GREAT.

BEFORE WE LEAVE OFF OF ENVISION, I KNOW YOUR FOLKS ARE OUT GETTING SOME UPDATES.

KIVA MUELLER TOOK US ON ONE OF THE HOMES THAT´S ON ST. THOMAS, WHAT YOU CALL THE MINI BID THAT WORK IS ALREADY GOING ON.

THAT´S OUTSIDE OF THE 200 HOMES.

SO LET´S TAKE A LOOK.

>> GOOD DAY, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FINANCE AUTHORITY.

WE´RE AT THE ESTATE WYNTON BURG, ST. THOMAS.

THEY ARE PARTICIPANTS OF BOTH THE EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM AND THE ENVISION TOMORROW HOMEOWNER REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.

SO THIS IS A COMPLETE PROJECT.

THEY HAD THEIR FINAL WALK THROUGH IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, WHICH IS IRONICALLY HOUSING MONTH.

THIS WE HAD WAS THE FULL OVERHAUL OF THE ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING SYSTEMS AS WELL AS THE REPLACEMENT OF MOST WINDOWS, THE ERECTION OF NEW WALLS, A COMPLETE REDO OF THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM.

AS WELL AS INSULATION.

JUST A MAJOR, MAJOR REHAB.

THIS PROPERTY ENDURED SIGNIFICANT HURRICANE DAMAGE.

THE ENTIRE RIFE WAS DONE UNDER THE ROOF REPAIR PROGRAM.

SO DAMAGE ASSESSMENT WAS DONE.

SCOPE OF WORK COMPLETED.

GRANT AGREEMENT SIGNED.

THEY DID THE WORK.

AND WE ARE COMPLETE HERE.

SO THE PROPERTY IS UNDER A ONE-YEAR WARRANTY AND THERE IS A THREE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD WHERE THE HOMEOWNER CANNOT SELL THE HOME.

THIS WAS DONE BY VIVIAN CONSTRUCTION, A LOCAL CONTRACTOR.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE ENVISION TOMORROW HOMEOWNER REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE DECENT, SAFE AND SANITARY HOMES FOR OUR RESIDENTS HERE IN THE V.I.

>> THIS, YOU KNOW -- >> SEEING THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

>> THAT´S GOOD.

I ALWAYS ASK YOU HOW MANY YOU HAVE SWINGING.

WE WILL CHECK BACK HERE AND SEE IN NOVEMBER IF WE HAVE THOSE -- IT SHOULD BE 200 HOMES WE HAVE SWINGING.

>> 200 HOMES SWINGING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO, LAST YEAR WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF HAVING THE LEADERS, THE VISIONARIES FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY WHO ARE NO STRANGER TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

AND THEY´VE BEEN GIVEN THE TASK OF RENOVATING A LOT OF THEIR MAJOR HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

AND DIRECTOR GRAHAM, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

SHARE WITH US, WHAT IS YOUR VISION IN LIGHT OF THE FUNDS THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA?

WHAT´S YOUR VISION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION, BECAUSE I´M PASSIONATE, MISS POWELL AS WELL, WE´RE BOTH PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR PUBLIC HOUSING.

YOU KNOW, FROM THE 2017 HURRICANES, IT DAMAGED SIGNIFICANTLY 300 UNITS AND TWO HIGH RISES.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WANTED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION FOR OUR PUBLIC HOUSING THAT´S 60 YEARS OLD.

SO, THE BOARD CHARGED US WITH DEVELOPING A PLAN OF ACTION TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE ENTIRE 3,000 UNITS OF PUBLIC HOUSING.

60 YEARS OLD, IT CANNOT STAND ANOTHER MAJOR HURRICANE.

AND SO WE DEVELOPED A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT WILL REPLACE 3,000 UNITS OF PUBLIC HOUSING, APPROXIMATELY 24 DEVELOPMENTS.

WE WANTED TO BUILD HALF OF THAT IS GOING TO BE NEW CONSTRUCTION.

HALF IS GOING TO BE COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION.

AND SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THIS PLAN AND WITH THE FUNDING THAT´S AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF THE HURRICANES, THE FUNDING THAT´S AVAILABLE FROM FEMA AND CBDGER, WE´LL BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE THOSE FURTHER FUNDS WITH PRIVATE EQUITY, LINK WITH HOUSING TAX CREDITS.

TO REPLACE 3,000 UNITS OF PUBLIC HOUSING, THE PRICE TAG IS A MILLION DOLLARS.

THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE THE FUNDS.

WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 90% OF THE FUNDS NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL 3,000 UNITS.

AND SO WE HAVE ENGAGED THREE DEVELOPER PARTNERS, THREE NATIONAL DEVELOPERS.

EACH OF THOSE THREE DEVELOPERS HAVE OVER 700 UNITS THEY´RE GOING TO EITHER BE NEW CONSTRUCTION OR COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION.

AND SO THOSE THREE DEVELOPERS, WE HAVE ONE ON ST. THOMAS, PRIMROSE, AND THEY ARE GOING TO -- THEY´RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW, THE REPLACEMENT OF TUTU.

WHAT WE´RE DOING IS TO REPLACE THE PUBLIC HOUSING, NOT THE LARGE DEVELOPMENTS THAT WE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO, BUT, FOR INSTANCE, IN TUTU HIGH RISE, WE´RE GOING TO REPLACE THOSE 300 UNITS IN THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

WE´VE ALREADY STARTED THE CONSTRUCTION ON THAT FIRST PHASE, 84 UNITS.

THE CONSTRUCTION IS, I THINK IT´S 30, 40% COMPLETE.

AND WE EXPECT ACTUALLY TO HAVE ONE BUILDING COMPLETE, THE FIRST BUILDING COMPLETE MARCH IN 2022.

SO WE EXPECT TO HAVE THE FAMILIES THAT WERE RELOCATED FROM HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA, BUT ALSO BACK TO MARILYN?

HOUSEHOLDS THAT WERE LIVING THERE IN 1995, WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN TO THOSE, THAT HOUSING AS WELL.

AND THE TUTU RESIDENTS.

THOSE FAMILIES WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN TO EITHER ONE OF THE THREE PHASES FOR TUTU REPLACEMENT.

SO WE HAVE ONE PHASE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THE SECOND PHASE, THE DESIGN IS ALREADY -- WE´RE COMPLETE WITH THE DESIGN FOR THE SECOND PHASE.

I THINK WE HAVE RENDERINGS OF THAT SECOND PHASE AS WELL.

WE´LL MOVE ON TO REPLACE THE -- >> I DON´T WANT YOU TO GIVEAWAY ALL THE SECRETS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> IF YOU DRIVE DOWN CENTER LINE ROAD, YOU CAN´T TELL WHAT´S GOING ON.

I RODE MY BIKE AND WE WENT BEHIND HARRIGAN.

I SAID, LOOK AT ALL OF THIS.

TELL US WHAT´S HAPPENING WITH THE HARRIGAN COURTHOUSING COMMUNITY, MRS. POWELL?

>> WE ARE ACTUALLY DEMOLISHING THE UNIT, PUBLIC HOUSING SITE WITH THE INTENTION TO REBUILD AND CONTINUE TO MASTER PLAN OUR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FREDERICK STUDY AREA.

HARRIGAN IS AN OLD COMMUNITY.

IT HAD A LOT OF STRUCTURAL ISSUES AND A LOT OF ISSUES, UNDERGROUND PIPING, ET CETERA, THAT WERE DETERIORATING.

SO LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW LUDWIG HARRINGTON, BETTER THINGS COMING TO THE SITE.

>> WE CAUGHT UP WITH YOUR CONTRACTOR, BENTON CONSTRUCTION.

HE SHOWED US A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HE WAS DOING OVER THERE.

LET´S TAKE A LOOK.

>> GIVE US A SYNOPSIS OF WHAT´S HAPPENING OUT THERE.

I SAW SOME OF THE -- SOME JETS, WATER JETS SPRAYING OUT OF SOME BUILDINGS.

WHAT IS THAT FOR EXACTLY, AND TELL US EXACTLY WHERE ARE WE?

>> YEAH, SO, WE ARE APPROXIMATELY 50% COMPLETE WITH THE MAJOR DEMOLITION OF THE ENTIRE HOUSING COMMUNITY HERE.

OUR ORGANIZATION IS VERY EXCITED TO REALLY SEE THE TRANSFORMATION AND REALLY, YOU KNOW, KIND OF GET THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO WE´RE ABOUT HALFWAY COMPLETE.

WE´VE BEEN OUT HERE FOUR MONTHS NOW.

AND WE´VE ALREADY COMPLETED THE SELECTED DEMOLITION OF THE UNITS.

WE´VE DONE ASBESTOS ABATEMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED ACROSS THE ENTIRE PROJECT.

WE´VE ALREADY GONE UNDERGROUND PIPING, BOTH DOMESTIC WATER, SANITARY SEWER, AND ANY STORM DRAINAGE, UNDERGROUND.

AND WE´RE IN THE PROCESS NOW OF DOING THE MAJOR DEMOLITION AND TAKING DOWN ALL OF THE BUILDINGS, CRUSHING UP ALL THE CONCRETE, SEPARATING THE REBAR.

AND PRETTY SOON WE´LL BE HAULING THIS MATERIAL OFF-SITE AND DISPOSING OF IT PROPERLY.

>> THE WATER THAT WAS JUTTING OUT EARLIER, WAS THAT TO HOLD DOWN THE DUST AS YOU CRUSH THE BUILDINGS?

>> EXACTLY.

WE KNEW DUST CONTROL WOULD BE A BIG ISSUE HERE.

SO WE ACTUALLY RESEARCHED AND INVESTED IN WHAT´S CALLED WATER CANON.

I HAVEN´T SEEN THEM USED TOO OFTEN HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEY´RE MORE USED IN MINING OPERATIONS.

INSTEAD OF TRADITIONAL WATER TRUCK AND HOSES BEING USED BY HAND, WE ACTUALLY INVESTED QUITE A BIT OF MONEY INTO THIS WATER CANON WHICH REALLY HELPS KEEP THE DUST DOWN.

>> WHEN DO YOU THINK WE´LL REACH THE COMPLETION DATE?

>> CONTRACTUALLY WE HAVE UNTIL FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.

LIKE MOST OF OUR PROJECTS WE TRY TO DELIVER AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

WE´RE SHOOTING TO BE DONE BY YEAR-END THIS YEAR, 100% OFF THE SITE.

WE´RE EXCITED THE GOVERNMENT IS GETTING THIS MONEY ALLOCATED.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING OUR PART TO MAKING A BETTER VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> SO, YOU HAVE TO BE PLEASED WITH HIM SAYING THAT HE´S GOING TO GET THIS IN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, RIGHT?

>> ALWAYS.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS ALWAYS GOOD.

AS GEORGE MENTIONED, YOU´VE GOT TO TEAR DOWN TO BUILD BACK UP.

TYPICALLY OUR COMMUNITY GETS CONCERNED WHEN YOU TEAR THINGS DOWN AND WE DON´T KNOW WHAT´S COMING.

IS THIS A SECRET?

WHAT´S COMING?

>> IT´S NOT A SECRET.

IT´S SOMETHING WE´RE WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH MARLY, MARLY ADDITIONS.

NEXT YEAR WE´LL REVEAL WHAT´S COMING AT THE HARRIGAN SITE.

>> WE´LL STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE WE TRACK YOU.

WHEN YOU WERE HERE ONE YEAR AGO.

WE´RE TRACKING WHAT YOU SAID.

SO FAR YOU´RE DELIVERING, DOING GOOD WORK.

ALSO, NOT ONLY ARE WE HAVING WORK DONE ON LUDWIG HARRIGAN, THERE ARE MAJOR PROJECTS.

THE HODGE PAVILION, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS SAKARELLI.

YES.

THE HODGE PAVILION.

WE HAVE A COMPLETE REMAKE YOU´RE GOING TO DO.

SO TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> WE´RE EXCITED ABOUT HOW THAT SITE´S GOING, WHAT WE´RE GOING TO DO WITH THAT SITE.

THE UNITS ARE LARGE.

THE DECISION WAS WE CAN ACTUALLY REHAB THAT FOR LESS THAN IT COSTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION.

SO IT´S 250 UNITS.

WE´RE GOING TO TAKE TWO UNITS AND HAVE THAT BE A SENIOR CENTER, AND WE´RE GOING TO WELCOME THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE ON-SITE SERVICES FOR THE SENIORS THERE IN THAT -- IN THOSE TWO UNITS.

SO, WE´RE EXCITED ABOUT THE REHABILITATION OF THAT SITE DO -- PRESERVE WHAT WE CAN PRESERVE, WHERE THE UNITS ARE LARGE.

THERE´S 19 BUILDINGS.

WE CAN DO IT FOR A LOT LESS THAN WE CAN DO IT FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION.

AND WE CAN PUT THOSE UNITS ONLINE.

APPROXIMATELY 150 FAMILIES ARE THERE NOW.

WE CAN REHABILITATE THE FIVE VACANT BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE, REHABILITATE THE BUILDINGS ONE AT A TIME, RELOCATE THE FAMILIES FROM THE OCCUPIED UNITS INTO THE NEWLY RENOVATED BUILDINGS AND THE RESIDENTS ONLY HAVE TO MOVE ONE TIME.

SO THAT, OF COURSE, AND WE´RE WORKING WITH THE RESIDENTS TO PLAN OUT THE RELOCATION AND THE WORK AS WELL.

SO THEY´RE EXCITED ABOUT IT, NOT HAVING TO MOVE BUT ONE TIME.

SO IT´S A GREAT PROJECT.

>> THE LAYOUT AND THE STRUCTURE LOOKS FANTASTIC.

I HOPE WE GET TO SHOW THE PUBLIC A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.

>> I THINK WE HAVE THAT WITH US.

>> SURE, WE SURE DO.

WE ALSO SPOKE WITH THE OFFICIALS FROM MDGNY.

AND THE PLAN TO REMODEL THE WELL-KNOWN COMMUNITY.

LET´S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT CATHERINE HAD TO SAY.

>> WE HAVE A 20-YEAR PHYSICAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT WHERE WE WILL UNDERTAKE TOTAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE BUILDING´S INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS.

LANDSCAPING, AMENITIES, BRAND-NEW KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS, FLOORING, PAINTING THROUGHOUT.

IT´S A TOTAL REHAUL.

IT´S GOING TO LOOK LIKE NEW CONSTRUCTION, BUT WE ARE RENOVATING THE EXISTING BUILDING.

>> YES, I DEFINITELY SAW SOME OF THE RENDERINGS, AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> YES, WE´RE REALLY EXCITED.

WE ARE WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN.

OUR GOAL IS TO CLOSE ON OUR LOAN AND BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY.

SO WE´RE WORKING, WE´RE WORKING NIGHT AND DAY TO MAKE THAT A REALITY.

WE HAVE A TWO-YEAR CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, BUT WE WILL COMPLETE IN PHASES SO YOU WILL SEE THE TRANSFORMATION BEGIN IN THE FIRST YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION AS WELL.

>> WHAT A JOURNEY.

IT STARTS WITH STEP ONE.

WE´LL BE HAPPY IN JANUARY WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP.

>> YES, WE ARE EXCITED TO DO SO.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> SO, THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND STEPS STARTS WITH JUST STEP ONE.

AND WE ARE LOOKING AT JANUARY.

THAT´S REALLY FANTASTIC.

YOU WILL BE GIVEN SOME MONEY?

>> ALWAYS.

IT DOESN´T STOP UNTIL IT´S SIGNED THAT THEY´RE GETTING MONEY.

THEY ARE ALSO GETTING CBDGR FUNDS.

WE ARE AN ADMINISTERING AGENCY FOR THE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

A LOT OF THEIR PROGRAMS RECEIVE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS AS WELL.

>> YOU´RE ACTUALLY -- THIS IS A COMPLETE REVITALIZATION OF OUR HOUSING COMMUNITY.

>> THAT´S CORRECT.

>> AND YOU´RE LOOKING AT, IN ORDER TO DO SO, YOU´RE LAYERING A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FUNDS ON THERE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> YES.

MORE SIGNIFICANTLY IS OUR FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUNDS AND FEMA FOR MITIGATION.

THAT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS, GET THE APPROVAL OF THOSE FUNDS TO DO SO.

WE ACTUALLY HAD DONE SOMETHING THAT FEMA DIDN´T HAVE ANYBODY DOING IN A LONG TIME.

WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE FUNDING FROM SEVERAL OF OUR COMMUNITIES IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE 428 PROGRAM.

SO, WE´RE DOING THE CREATIVE FINANCING PROJECTS FOR THESE PROJECTS.

WE HAVE TO, IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE BEST QUALITY DONE.

SO, THE SITE WILL COMPLETELY TRANSFORNL.

NO LONGER WILL THEY HAVE THE OPEN STAIRWELL.

THEY WILL HAVE IT ENCLOSED, ACCESS TO A KEY CARD.

THE SITE WILL BE TOTALLY SECURED WITH CAMERA SYSTEMS, NEW LANDSCAPING.

ALL OUR RESIDENTS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> THAT´S FANTASTIC.

YOU KNOW, I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO IT ONE YEAR.

SO, JANUARY CHECKPOINT, WE´RE LOOKING FOR KICKOFF OF THE PROJECT, AND THEN WE´LL CONTINUE TO TRACK IT FROM THERE.

BUT ALSO YOU RECENTLY GAVE AN OBLIGATION FOR THE MARLEY HOME.

WHERE IS THAT, HOW IS THE WORK?

ARE WE GETTING THE BLUE TARPS OFF THE ROOFING?

>> WE SURE ARE.

YOU SEE THE BLUE ROOFERS.

WE CHANGED THOSE BLUE ROOFS, I SWEAR 20 TIMES ALREADY OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

TRY OUR BEST TO KEEP OUR RESIDENTS FROM SUSTAINING LEAKS.

BUT, HOWEVER, WE´VE GOTTEN TO A POINT BECAUSE OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE FEMA FUNDS WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

WE ARE REPAIRING ALL THOSE BLUE TARPED AREAS OF MARLY.

O´REILLY CONSTRUCTION STARTED THIS SEPTEMBER.

THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL DELAYED DUE TO COVID, BUT THE GUYS HAVE STARTED DOING THOSE REPAIRS ON THOSE ROOFS.

>> THAT´S GOOD TO HEAR.

AND ALSO -- NOW, I KNOW THAT YOU ALSO HAVE SOME MAJOR PLANS FOR JOHN F. KENNEDY.

WHERE IS THAT?

>> JOHN F. KENNEDY IS GOING TO BE, I THINK IS GOING TO BE A MIND-BLOWING RETROFIT AND RENOVATION.

WE DO HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES ON OUR SITE BECAUSE OF THE AREA FOR WHERE THE PROPANE TANK IS ON THE SITE.

BUT WE HAVE ENGAGEDst ARCHITECTS OUT OF NEW YORK.

THEY´RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON A DESIGN THAT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO GIVE US AT LEAST BETWEEN 60 AND 100 UNITS, POSSIBLY SENIOR AND SOME MIXED FAMILY.

BUT WE´RE GOING TO DO AN AWESOME PROJECT AT THAT SITE.

>> I´M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING IT.

>> YES.

AND YOU KNOW, I ALSO KNOW HOMEOWNERSHIP NEAR THERE.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.

BUT THE LIGHT COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ONE WHERE YOU´VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS.

A PORTION OF HOMES ARE SOLD AND YOU HAVE HOMEOWNERS, BUT YOU STILL HAVE RENTERS.

ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING WITH THE -- ANY OTHER FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO REVITALIZE THAT COMMUNITY?

>> IT´S ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

THE PLAN FOR WILLIAMS LIGHT WHERE RESIDENTS CAN COMBINE HOMES AS IS.

WE PUBLISHED THIS INFORMATION.

IT´S 22, $25,000 FOR A TWO BEDROOM HOME.

THERE´S NO WAY YOU CAN BUY A HOUSE FOR THAT AMOUNT.

WE´RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT PROGRAM FOR A COUPLE DOZEN RESIDENTS.

BUT WHAT WE´RE GOING TO DO IS WE´RE GOING TO PHASE IN, WE´RE GOING TO DEMOLISH UNITS ON ONE SIDE AND ONE SIDE WE´RE GOING TO COMPLETELY CLEAR.

ON THAT SIDE WE´RE GOING TO CLEAR, WE WANT TO WORK WITH HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY TO SELL THE LOTS SO THAT FAMILIES CAN BUILD THEIR OWN UNITS USING HOUSING SPECIFICATION THE FINANCE AUTHORITY ALREADY HAS.

THAT WILL PROVIDE A MIDDLE PRICE POINT FOR HOUSING THAT´S BELOW THE LOW POINT OF 22, $25,000, SO THAT UNITS CAN SELL FOR 60, 80, $100,000.

AND SO THAT BUILDS UP THE VALUE OF ALL THE SURROUNDING HOMES, AND SO WE BELIEVE THAT´S THE WAY TO GO.

THE ENTIRE SITE WILL BE HOMEOWNERSHIP AT THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS.

>> THIS IS GREAT.

NOW, I KNOW THAT YOU ALSO DID SOME WORK IN YOUR COMMUNITY CENTER.

YOU´RE NOT ONLY REVITALIZING HOMES, BUT YOU´RE DOING OTHER INITIATIVES.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

WE UPGRADED THE UNDERGROUND WATER LINE AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

WE ACTUALLY WERE ABLE TO CONNECT THE COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING, UPGRADE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

WE DID REPAIRS TO THE ROOF THAT WAS LEAKING.

BUT NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SO LONG, WE NOW HAVE IT CONNECTED TO A GENERATOR.

SO IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO OUR MAIN OFFICE BUILDING, THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS OUR ALTERNATE SITE TO SHIFT EVERYBODY OVER SO THAT WE CAN -- AND WE DO, BECAUSE OUR OFFICE BUILDING IS ON ST. THOMAS.

AND HAD TO SHIFT THE ENTIRE CENTRAL OFFICE TO HARRIS COURT.

WE HAD PLANNED IT AHEAD OF TIME.

NOW IN THE EVENT WE LOSE OUR CENTRAL OFFICE -- >> YOU´RE NOT GOING TO GET CAUGHT WITH YOUR PANTS DOWN AGAIN.

THAT WAS ST. CROIX.

LET´S TALK ABOUT SOME PROJECTS YOU HAVE GOING ON IN THE ST. THOMAS/SAINT JOHN DISTRICT.

MR. GRAHAM, YOU ALLUDED TO A LOT OF WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH ONE OF YOUR MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE STATE, DUNU.

IT HAS DEFINITELY STARTED TO TAKE SHAPE.

SO, JOHN WESLEY OF GEC WAS HIRED TO DO A LOT OF THIS WORK AND HE´S DONE A LOT OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS OVER THE YEARS.

SO LET´S HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE PROJECT.

>> WELL, WE JUST WANT TO GIVE A QUICK SYNOPSIS OR AN UPDATE ON WHAT´S HAPPENING AT DUNU SITE.

>> LET ME GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW.

THE PROJECT IS 84 APARTMENTS, ONE BEDROOM, TWO BEDROOM AND THREE BEDROOM.

IT´S GOING TO BE A RENTAL INCOME PROPERTY.

THE PROPERTY IS OWNED BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY.

IT IS FINANCED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY MONEY FROM THE V.I.

HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS GEC PRIDES ITSELF ON IS OUR SLOGAN, AND THAT IS BUILDING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WITH VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

SO ALL OF THE CONSTRUCTION THAT YOU SEE GOING ON UP THERE WILL BE DONE BY VIRGIN ISLANDERS FOR VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

IT´S REALLY A WONDERFUL PROGRAM.

THERE WILL BE ABOUT 150 TO 200 JOBS COUNTING ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES AND SUBCONTRACTORS AT THE HEIGHT OF CONSTRUCTION.

AND THESE ARE GOOD-PAYING CONSTRUCTION JOBS HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISING THINGS ABOUT THIS IS THEY´VE BEEN WORKING WITH GEC FOR OVER 20 YEARS ON ST. THOMAS.

THE OVERALL LAYOUT, AGAIN, IS 14 BUILDINGS, 84 APARTMENTS, SIX BUILDINGS -- SIX APARTMENTS PER BUILDING.

AND THEY´RE VERY SPACIOUS.

THEY´RE VERY BREEZY, AND THEY´RE VERY HURRICANE RESISTANT.

ONE OF THE UNIQUE THINGS ABOUT THE PROJECT IS IT WILL BE COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT FROM WAPA FOR ELECTRICITY.

THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE HILL WHERE YOU SEE THE RED CRANE STICKING UP IN THE AIR RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE A SOLAR FIELD THAT HAS ABOUT 700 KILOWATTS OF POWER.

ALL CONCRETE ROADS, CONCRETE PAVING.

VERY STURDY CONSTRUCTION, ALL HURRICANE RESISTANT WINDOWS.

I WOULD SAY THERE WITH MY FAMILY, OF COURSE, IN AN IRMA OR MARIA.

>> THAT´S VERY ASSURING TO SAY.

WHEN THE JEN CONTRACTOR SAYS I WILL STAY IN THE PLACES I BUILT, THAT´S WHERE I WANT TO STAY ALSO.

CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE US IN TERMS OF A PERCENTAGE, HOW CLOSE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF THIS PHASE THAT YOU´RE WORKING ON?

>> SURE.

OF THE 14 BUILDINGS, SIX OF THEM HAVE THE FOUNDATIONS IN THE GROUND.

THE SEVENTH HAS JUST STARTED.

AND WE´RE GOING UP -- IT WILL GO UP A STORY AT A TIME.

YOU´LL SEE SOME RAPID MOVEMENT IN THE UPPER STORIES OF THE BUILDINGS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AND WE ANTICIPATE HAVING PEOPLE IN THE FIRST BUILDING SOMETIME IN THE SPRING.

>> THANK YOU, MR. WESSEL.

A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING, LOT OF THINGS GOING ON AND WE LOVE TO SEE THE PROGRESS THAT´S HAPPENING OUT THERE AT DUNU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I´LL SHARE IN GEORGE´S ENTHUSIASM.

WE´LL CHECK TO SEE WHERE WE´RE AT.

TALKING TO FOLKS ON THE JOB SITE, WE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT THE HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT PLAN MEANS FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> WHAT DOES THIS COMMUNITY REBUILD MEAN TO ME?

IT MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO ME.

RIGHT NOW MANY PEOPLE ARE MOVING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

MANY PEOPLE ARE SHACKING UP WITH PEOPLE AND THAT´S NOT GOOD.

EVERYBODY WANTS SOMEPLACE THAT THEY COULD BE.

AND I THINK IT´S REALLY GREAT THAT THEY´RE REALLY GOING TO BUILD THEM BACK BECAUSE HAVING SOMEPLACE, LIKE I SAY, REBUILDING IS GOOD.

EVERYTHING THAT REBUILDING IS GOOD.

BUT, YES, EVERYTHING COME WITH A PRICE AND A COST.

WE ALREADY KNOW.

BUT, YES, I HOPE AND I PRAY THEY COULD DO THAT FOR THE PEOPLE BECAUSE MANY HAVE LOST, WE´RE SUFFERING, WE´RE STRUGGLING, WE´RE BEGGING.

YEAH, BECAUSE OF HURRICANE, CERTAIN DESTRUCTION THAT NOW WE NEED HELP.

>> WELL, THERE IS SUCH A GENERATION GAP IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PROGRAMS THAT INCORPORATE THE ELDERLY, PASSING ON VITAL LIFE SKILL INFORMATION TO THE YOUNGER POPULATION, SUCH AS COAT MAKING, TO INCLUDE LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ALL ASPECTS OF OUR CULTURE, INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY AGRICULTURE.

>> YOU ACTUALLY HEARD THAT.

REBUILDING IS IMPORTANT.

SOME OF THE RESIDENT SERVICES ARE STILL IMPORTANT.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> WE ARE REVAMPING OUR ENTIRE RESIDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

IN THAT PROCESS, WE ARE GOING TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE PROGRAMS FOR EVERY DEVELOPMENT FROM THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND TO THE OLD DEVELOPMENT.

SO WE´RE REVITALIZING THE PROGRAMS WITH DEDICATED BUDGET.

SO, IN THAT PROCESS, WE MUST HAVE PARTICIPATION FROM OUR RESIDENTS.

WE HAVE ADVOCATES THAT WANT TO SEE THINGS BETTER.

WE NEED THOSE ADVOCATES TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME, TO COME TO THE TABLE, TO HELP US WORKOUT THE PLANS AND THE DIRECTION WE WANT TO GO TO ENSURE WE HAVE PLANS THAT´S GOING TO HELP OUR FAMILIES MOVE ALONG THE SPECTRUM OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

>> MISS POWELL, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON OTHER THINGS TAKING PLACE ON ST. THOMAS, NOT ONLY WHAT YOU´RE DOING THERE, BUT TUKU, I KNOW YOU HAVE WORK GOING ON.

LOTS OF THINGS HAPPENING ON THE ISLAND OF ST. THOMAS.

YOU GET TO BE A TRUE VIRGIN ISLANDER.

YOU´RE FROM ST. THOMAS, LIVING ON ST. CROIX.

YOU´RE EVERYBODY.

>> I KNOW.

WE TRY TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE.

SO MICHAEL J. COHEN HARRIS, WE JUST FINISHED THE ROOF REPAIRS TO FOUR OF THE WEST DAMAGED ROOFS.

WE JUST STARTED, ISSUED A NOTICE TO PROCEED TO START ON FIVE MORE ROOFS, SO THAT WILL BE STARTING NEXT WEEK.

YOU SHOULD SEE CONTRACTORS OUT THERE AND CUSTOM BUILDERS FINISHING UP THE FOUR BUILDINGS THAT WE JUST COMPLETED.

WE DO HAVE ANOTHER PHASE THAT WE´RE GOING TO ISSUE SOLICITATION FOR THAT WILL COMPLETE ALL THE ROOFS AT THE TERRACE BEING REPAIRED.

THEN WE´RE GOING TO START ON THE UNITS MAKING THE OTHER REPAIRS TO THE DAMAGES THAT WERE SUSTAINED FROM THE HURRICANE.

RIGHT AFTER, WE HAVE APEX CONSTRUCTION WORKING AT CONTRACT KNOWLES.

>> WE SPOKE TO CONTRACTORS.

HOW ARE THINGS GOING ON IN THEIR COMMUNITY?

AND HERE´S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> AH, YES.

THIS EPISODE COULD NOT BE COMPLETED WOULD YOU TELL US TALKING TO THE MAIN PEOPLE, THE MAIN SOURCE, OUR RESIDENTS, CHERISHED RESIDENTS.

LET´S TAKE A JOURNEY RIGHT OVER HERE.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE AT CANTA KNOWLES.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN WE DO TO ENHANCE YOUR RESIDENTIAL LIFE?

>> TO MAKE OUR LIVING A LITTLE BETTER IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, WE COULD HAVE BETTER GUTTERING TO EASE ON THE FLOODS.

THE BACK PORCHES SHOULD HAVE ROOFS, AND THE SCREENS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND STUFF LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW.

AND I THINK THAT SHOULD DO IT FOR US.

IF ANYBODY ELSE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY THAT WOULD MAKE THEIR LIVING BETTER IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY SHOULD FEEL FREE TO SAY SO, TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> I THINK A PLAYGROUND FOR THE KIDS.

>> I´D LIKE TO SEE BETTER -- THE PROJECT, YOU UNDERSTAND?

THE PLACE WANT ENHANCEMENT.

WE WANT TO FIX THE FENCE.

>> WELL, THERE YOU HAVE IT STRAIGHT FROM OUR CHERISHED RESIDENTS MOUTH.

I´M GEORGE.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, GEORGE.

YOU KNOW, WE´RE CURRENTLY DOING THE SIDE BUILDINGS, RECORDING THE ROOF AND GUTTER SYSTEM.

A PREFAB SYSTEM OUT OF VENEZUELA THAT WAS CONSTRUCTED THERE.

SO, WE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT DESIGN TO REPAIR THAT.

SO, WE FIGURED THAT OUT.

APEX CONSTRUCTION STARTED.

WE ALSO ARE LOOKING AT, AS THE GENTLEMAN HAD DISCUSSED, THE DRAINAGE ISSUE WE HAVE AT THE BACK PART OF THE SITE.

WE HAVE A DESIGN IN PLACE NOW AND WE´RE GETTING READY TO BID THAT OUT TO REPAIR THAT.

THE FENCING, THOSE REPAIRS, QUOTES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED TO REPAIR THE FENCING, SO WE SHOULD BE SEEING A LOT OF WORK HAPPENING WHILE REPAIRS HAPPEN AT CANTA KNOWLES.

WE ARE CONTEMPLATING PUTTING A GATE SYSTEM THERE BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE AN ISSUE WITH PEOPLE COMING IN THROWING TRASH THAT DON´T LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND CAUSING SOME RESENTMENT FOR THOSE THAT LIVE THERE.

AND SO WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON THERE AT CANTA KNOWLES.

BUT DEFINITELY TRYING TO BRING SOME RELIEF TO THE DAMAGES THAT WERE SUSTAINED FROM THE HURRICANE AT THAT SITE.

>> LUDWIG HARRIGAN DEMOLITION OVER THERE.

BUT ALSO ON THE ST. THOMAS SIDE, WE STILL HAVE SENIOR HOUSING THAT I KNOW YOU´VE DONE A LOT OF WORK, MR. GRAHAM, IN INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF SENIOR HOUSING THAT´S ON ST. THOMAS.

SO, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THAT FACILITY?

AND ALSO THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES, ET CETERA?

>> AS WE ALL KNOW, THE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION THAT IS 60 AND OVER ARE GOING TO INCREASE THREE FOLD OVER THE NEXT TEN, 20 YEARS IN THE TERRITORY, IN THE MAINLAND.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT.

WE ONLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 340 OR 10% OF OUR 3,000 UNITS ARE DEDICATED FOR SENIORS, AND SO WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO TRIPLE THAT NUMBER IN OUR REVITALIZATION, REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 3,000 UNITS.

WE´RE GOING TO -- ONE-THIRD, 30% OF THAT, BETWEEN 900,000 UNITS ARE GOING TO BE SENIOR UNITS.

SO WE´RE GOING TO REPLACE LUCINDA MELON, 60, 80 UNITS.

THE CURRENT LOCATION OF OSWALD HARRIS, WE´RE GOING TO REPLACE IT WITH 60 TO 80 UNITS.

AND REPLACE LUCINDA MELON THERE.

RIGHT NEXT TO LUCINDA MELON, WE´RE DOING ROOF WORK THERE NOW, THE HURRICANE DAMAGED ROOF.

BUT ALSO IN TUTU, PHASE TWO REPLACEMENT ON ROSS VALLEY, THE FIRST, THE SECOND UNIT IS 92 UNITS.

THE FIRST UNITS ARE FAMILY UNITS.

60 UNITS SENIOR BUILDING THERE WHERE THE OFFICE BUILDING WAS, THE OLD HOUSING OFFICE BUILDING WAS ON THAT CORNER IS GOING TO BE 60 UNITS OF SENIOR HOUSING.

SO WE´RE GOING TO TRIPLE THE AMOUNT OF UNITS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS TO ACCOMMODATE THE GROWTH IN THAT SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION.

>> IT´S WONDERFUL TO HEAR.

IN YOUR PLANS WITH YOUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND OPPORTUNITIES, I KNOW YOU´RE MARRYING UP WITH WHAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WANTS TO DO.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING THAT DEMAND HOUSING STUDY.

>> AS YOU KNOW, WE DID A 2015 DEMAND HOUSING STUDY.

WE´RE SCHEDULED TO DO ANOTHER HOUSING DEMAND STUDY TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ALL OF WHAT´S HAPPENED IN THE TERRITORY SINCE THE HURRICANE.

SO WE´RE DEFINITELY GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADD INFORMATION TO EVERYTHING THEY´RE DOING CURRENTLY.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU´VE GOT TO HAVE ALL THIS WORK, ALL THIS HOUSING, ALL THESE APARTMENTS.

AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR HOUSE?

WHAT´S GOING ON WITH YOUR OFFICE ON ST. THOMAS?

>> IT´S SLATED FOR DEMOLITION.

THAT OFFICE THERE, 60, 80-UNIT SENIOR BUILDING IS GOING TO GO THERE.

WE HAVE RENDERINGS FOR THAT.

IT HAS BLOWN EVERYBODY´S MIND.

THEY CAN´T BELIEVE IT´S GOING TO LOOK LIKE THAT.

THE WHITE SENIOR COMMUNITY.

WE UPSCALED IT.

WE REALIZED WHAT WE COULD DO, AND NOW WE´RE DOING EVEN BETTER.

SO THE SENIORS ON ST. THOMAS HAVE A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

IF THEY LIKE CELESTINO, THEY´RE GOING TO LOVE WHAT PHASE 2, PHASE 3 ARE GOING TO BRING.

>> WHERE IS YOUR OFFICE?

>> WE HAVEN´T QUITE FIGURED THAT OUT.

THE PEOPLE COME FIRST.

THE RESIDENTS COME FIRST.

>> MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES FIRST.

THEN WE´LL GET AROUND TO -- WHAT WE´RE GOING TO DO IS BUILD AN OFFICE BUILDING THAT´S CENTRALLY LOCATED, LIKE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

RESIDENTS ALL OVER THE ISLAND CAN GET TO IT IF IT´S CENTRALLY LOCATED.

WE´RE LOOKING AT THE RIGHT LOCATION MAYBE WHERE LUCINDA IS.

THOSE TWO LOCATIONS, WE´LL HAVE AN OFFICE BUILDING.

>> A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT´S TO COME.

WE´RE EXCITED.

NOT ONLY THE RESIDENTS, BUT THE ONE THING WE PRIDE OURSELVES WITH IS THAT THE RECURRING DOLLARS NOT ONLY HELPS TO BUILD STRONGER FACILITIES, BUT IT´S ALSO HELPING WITH THE ECONOMIC RESILIENCE OF THE TERRITORY.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT PROVIDING TRAINING, ALL THE DOLLARS COMING THROUGH YOUR SECTION 3 REQUIREMENT.

I KNOW WHERE WE ARE WITH THE SKILLS FOR TODAY, AND I KNOW WE HAVE, WE HAVE COMMISSIONER MALLOY.

YOU´RE THE FUNDER.

>> YES.

>> HOW MUCH MONEY YOU GAVE THEM?

>> $10 MILLION.

>> $10 MILLION, YES.

THE SCHEDULE TODAY INITIATIVE HAS AN OUTREACH ACTIVITY TO SPEND THAT $10 MILLION AT YOUR HOUSING COMMUNITY.

LAST WEEK, COMMISSIONER MALLOY WAS ON-SITE TO TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND WHERE HE IS.

>> I´M MALLOY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

JUST WANT TO GIVE SOME INFORMATION ON WHAT WE´RE DOING HERE TODAY.

WE´RE AT THE CURRAN HARRIS COMMUNITY CENTER HERE ON ST. THOMAS.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE´RE PROVIDING FOR THE SKILLS FOR THE DAY PROGRAM.

FOR MANY OF YOU, THE SKILLS FOR THE DAY PROJECT IS THAT PROJECT WHERE THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS PARTNERING WITH OUR PROJECT MANAGER, ICF.

WE´RE MOVING TO TRAIN OVER 640 VIRGIN ISLANDERS IN SKILLS AND GET YOU PREPARED FOR WORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND TO TAKE PART IN THIS RECOVERY EFFORT.

>> THAT SKILLS FOR TODAY PROGRAM WE´RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

AS YOU SAID, WE GAVE $10 MILLION FROM THE COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR THIS PROJECT.

THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO BE SO IMPORTANT IN TRAINING OUR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS, RESIDENTS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO HAVE THE SKILL SET THEY NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL OF THESE FEDERAL PROGRAMS WE SEE THE FUNDS COMING INTO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE DON´T HAVE TO HIRE PEOPLE FROM THE STATES, BUT IT´S GOING TO BE OUR LOCAL VIRGIN ISLANDERS, USING THE FUNDS FROM THERE TO EARN AN INCOME FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND BETTER OUR OVERALL COMMUNITY.

SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT PROGRAM.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOUR RESIDENTS AND FOR YOU CARRYING OUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE TERRITORY?

HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS PARTNERSHIP?

>> IT´S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

AND WHAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED IS THAT WE HAVE -- IN THE 2,000 OCCUPIED APARTMENTS, THAT´S APPROXIMATELY 5,000 INDIVIDUALS.

OF THOSE 5,000 INDIVIDUALS, ABOUT 900 TO 1,000 INDIVIDUALS BETWEEN 18 AND 50 THAT ARE NOT WORKING, NOT IN THE EDUCATION PROGRAM AND NOT DISABLED, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND WE SHARED THAT INFORMATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

SO THEY HAVE THE LIST OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE UNEMPLOYED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO REACH OUT TO THEM AND OFFER THEM THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAINING AND ALSO JOBS AFTER THAT TRAINING.

SO IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GET THOSE INDIVIDUALS -- A LOT OF TIMES THEY JUST NEED A BREAK.

THEY NEED AN OPPORTUNITY.

THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO WORK.

SO IT IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PROGRAM FOR US.

>> YES.

THIS IS ALSO ANOTHER CRITICAL YEAR WHERE THE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, IT IS CRITICAL TO GET OUR PEOPLE TRAINED TO REBUILD THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IF YOU LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TRAINING, PLEASE DON´T HESITATE TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SO THAT YOU CAN BE A PART OF THIS PHENOMENAL OPPORTUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WE´RE GETTING CLOSE TO THE END OF OUR PROGRAM.

BEFORE WE CLOSE OUT, I WANT TO THANK THE VIEWERS WHO CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER AVENUES AFTER THE SHOW.

HE TUNED IN LAST MONTH AND ASKED THE QUESTION, WHERE ARE WE WITH THE RENTAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM?

>> THE RENTAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM, THAT PROGRAM IS NOT GOING TO START AS SOON AS THE HOMEOWNERS REHABILITATION PROGRAM.

SO, THAT PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE PUSHED BACK.

AS YOU SEE, WE´RE BRINGING ALL THE LUMBER IN NOW FOR THE HOMEOWNER REHAB PROGRAM.

SO THE RENTAL REHAB PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE ABOUT TWO TO THREE MONTHS BEFORE YOU SEE A SIGNIFICANT KICKOFF INTO THAT PROGRAM.

SO RIGHT NOW ALL OUR ATTENTIONS ARE FOCUSED ON THE HOMEOWNER PROGRAM, AND IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS YOU´LL SEE THE RENTAL PROGRAM MOVE JUST AS QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY AS THE HOMEOWNER PROGRAM.

>> WE´RE ANXIOUS ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> I KNOW YOU ARE.

>> I WON´T LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG, BUT TELL US WHY IS THAT CRITICAL?

>> BECAUSE WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3,000 HOUSEHOLDS ON OUR WAITING LIST.

OUR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER WAITING LIST.

THOSE APARTMENTS THAT DARRYL WAS ABLE TO REPAIR, WE´LL PROVIDE THOSE HOUSEHOLDS FROM OUR WAITING LIST.

WE HAVE FAMILIES WAITING IN LINE FOR THOSE APARTMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE RENOVATED.

SO WE CANNOT WAIT FOR THAT EXTRA SOURCE OF APARTMENTS FOR FAMILIES.

>> WE´RE ALL INTERCONNECTED.

>> VERY MUCH SO.

>> ALL INTERCONNECTED.

WE COULD STAY HERE AND TALK HOUSING ALL DAY.

WE´RE ALL HOUSING FOLKS.

I STILL HAVE HOUSING IN MY BLOOD.

TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOUR THOUGHTS ARE ON HOW ALL THESE PROJECTS, EVERYTHING, AND YOUR COMMITMENT?

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY, I HEAR A LOT -- I LISTEN TO A GOOD BIT OF THE TALK SHOWS.

I KNOW THERE´S SOME DISMAY IN PEOPLE´S MIND ABOUT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS JUST TEARING DOWN EVERYTHING, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS TEARING DOWN EVERYTHING.

LISTEN, GUYS, IT´S TIME.

OUR RESIDENTS, IF YOU WALK A DAY IN OUR PROPERTY MANAGER´S LIFE, CONSTANTLY WATER LEAK, CEILING BREAKING.

OUR PEOPLE SHOULDN´T BE PAYING 800, $700 IN RENT TO LIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS.

THE BUILDINGS HAVE COME TO THE END OF THEIR LIFE-SPAN.

WE NEED TO DEMOLISH THEM.

WE NEED TO BUILD NEWER.

WE NEED TO PUT OUR SENIORS AND OUR CHILDREN IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE CLEAN AND THE RIGHT WAY TO HAVE SOMEBODY BE LIVING.

SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY TO EVERYBODY, DON´T BE DISMAYED ABOUT THE DEMOLITION.

THE DEMOLITION MEANS GOOD THINGS ARE COMING AFTER.

>> I´D LIKE TO ADD TO THAT BECAUSE WE´RE BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES, BRICKS AND MORTAR.

WE ALSO WANT TO INVEST HEAVILY IN OUR FAMILIES, IN OUR PEOPLE, IN OUR ADVOCATES, OUR LEADERS.

WE´RE ESTABLISHING -- AND THIS IS THE FIRST FOR ANY HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT I´M AWARE OF.

WE ARE ESTABLISHING USING LOCAL HOUSING TAX EQUITY, REALLY ESTABLISHING A BUDGET FOR THE ENTIRE 15 YEARS OF THOSE -- THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF THE HOUSING, A BUDGET FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.

SO, SUPPORT SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS, AND THE RESIDENTS WILL BE A PART OF DESIGNING WHAT KINDS OF PROGRAMS ARE GOING TO HELP THEM IN EDUCATION, IN HOUSING -- I MEAN, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, AND IN JOBS.

WE ARE GOING TO DEVELOP CASE MANAGEMENT FOR THE HOUSEHOLDS AND THE RESIDENTS WILL BE INVOLVED IN RESIDENT COUNCIL.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE A PART OF THE COUNCIL.

HAVE A VOICE AT THE TABLE THAT´S GOING TO MOVE ALL OF OUR FAMILIES TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

THE NEXT LEVEL OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY IS WHERE WE´RE GOING, WE WANT THE RESIDENTS TO BE PART OF IT.

WE WANT THEM TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO BE PART OF THE RESIDENCY COUNCIL.

>> NOT ONLY ARE YOU GETTING THAT OPPORTUNITY, BUT YOU´RE MAKING IT SAFER.

CAMERAS, AND WE´VE SEEN A NUMBER OF CAMERA PROJECTS.

JUST A QUICK UPDATE ON THOSE EFFORTS.

>> EVERY SINGLE PROJECT -- EVERY SINGLE PROJECT WILL HAVE CAMERAS.

AND WE ARE WORKING WITH -- WE´RE PARTNERING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN WHETHER IT´S NEW CONSTRUCTION OR REHABILITATION.

THEY ARE INVOLVED IN WHERE THE CAMERAS ARE GOING TO GO, HOW THEY´RE SITUATE AND HOW THEY´RE MONITORED.

SO THEY ARE INVOLVED AT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

WE INVOLVE ALL OF OUR SISTER AGENCIES IN OUR DESIGN OF OUR DEVELOPMENTS.

MISS POWELL, DO YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT?

>> THE SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM AT THOSE TWO SITES ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL.

SO WE´VE BEEN PARTNERING A LOT WITH THE VIPD TO ASSIST THEM IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING AT THOSE TWO SITES.

>> FANTASTIC.

>> THAT´S CRITICAL.

WHAT ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY?

>> OH, MY GOSH.

>> WE ARE CERTAINLY GOING TO INCORPORATE AS MUCH ENERGY EFFICIENT ALTERNATIVES, INITIATIVES AS WE CAN AFFORD IN THE DEVELOPMENT.

AND, FOR INSTANCE, MS. POWELL, ELABORATE ON THIS FOR ME, BUT WE´RE DOING THE MGM AND MICRO GRIDS AT THAT SITE SO RESIDENTS WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ELECTRICITY ON THAT FIRST PHASE.

BUT WHAT´S HAPPENED IS THAT THE COST OF SOLAR PANELS HAS GONE DOWN.

THE COST FOR BACKUP IS GOING DOWN.

WE´LL BE ABLE TO INCORPORATE BACKUP ON THIS.

WHEN IT IS DOWN, THE POWER IS STILL THERE.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, THOUGH, MR. GRIFFITH IS WORKING ON MAKING SURE IT BECOMES A WHOLE LOT MORE RELIABLE.

HE´S GIVEN THEM MONEY.

>> EVERY WEEK.

>> GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THIS, THE RESILIENCY, THE REDUNDANCIES WE´RE CREATING, HELPS TO BUILD, MAKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS A MUCH STRONGER PLACE TO LIVE.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY PARADISE, AND YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HOUSE THE PEOPLE OF PARADISE AND DO SO WELL.

YOU KNOW, THIS DISCUSSION WE´VE HAD UPDATES FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY AS WELL AS THE FINANCE AUTHORITY CONTINUES.

AND YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE BY VISITING US ONLINE AT WWW.USVIODR.COM, AND YOU CAN ALSO KEEP THIS DISCUSSION GOING AT FACEBOOK.COM/WTJX.

>>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, AND WE´LL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.

♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >> Announcer: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.