Senior Reporter
anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt
A former convict who was released from prison in 2015 after serving a ten-year sentence, is begging the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) for a place to live as he is steps away from ending up on the streets.
Tommie Chan Sun, 62, of no fixed place of abode, has been staying with a friend in Barataria for the past five months.
He was last renting an apartment at Blake Avenue, Sangre Grande for $1,000 per month.
Handed an eviction notice in December 2023 after he was unable to meet the $200 increase in the monthly rental income, Chan Sun said the landlady presented him with an eviction notice to vacate the premises, which he did in February.
Chan Sun had been charged with perverting the course of justice and has been receiving a $1,300 Public Assistance Grant since his release from prison.
Chan Sun suffers from a slipped disc as well as prostate disease.
Revealing that one friend had agreed to store his meagre possessions when he moved out, Chan Sun said another had offered him temporary accommodations.
But he said, “I cannot keep imposing on people.” Chan Sun said he was willing to pay up to $1,000 per month in order to have a place to live.
He begged the HDC, “Just put me anywhere so I can have a roof over my head, please!”
Chan Sun said he had applied for housing assistance from the HDC in 2015 and was still awaiting some positive feedback as to his placement.
Responding to the pleas by Chan Sun, HDC’s managing director Jayselle McFarlane explained, “We can only supply units that are available inventory, which means they are vacant and are categorised for rental.”
While the HDC understands and empathises with citizens who would like to become part of their tenancy, McFarlane said, “Unfortunately, we can only assist if there are available units.”
Indicating that the HDC was currently engaged in the construction of additional units as part of their mandate, she said 191 units are to be added to the rental stock at Citrus Close, Eastern Main Road, Laventille.