Preparation for project has begun.  Please see photo of site as of April 5, 2010 on photo page.

Clearing of land April 5, 2010                                                             Progress as of April 14, 2010

      

Housing unit for Bondeau completed May 6, 2010.  Front view

          

Side view of new housing unit for Bondeau

Latrine and showers for new housing unit

Housing project model approved March 27, 2010 by South Florida Haiti Project.  Funding needed for additional units to be constructed based on the model.

The cost per family unit is anticipated to be $3,000.  Actual completed cost is $3,125 per family unit.

Background

Bondeau, Miragoane, Haiti is a country side consisting of many small individual plots of land that are family occupied providing a basic subsistence living.  The only significant structure is the Ste. Marie Madeleine Church and School with a pre through 6 grade school building and a Friendship House providing housing for visitors and workers for the site project.

Housing consists of some cement block one or two room buildings and stick, pole and palm frond rooms.  With the January 12,2010 earthquake, many people related to families in Bondeau have migrated to Bondeau increasing the population.  For the school, the student enrollment grew from 125 before the earthquake to 201 after.  The community is lacking basic housing and with the increase in population, it is getting worse.

Proposal

This proposal approved by the South Florida Haiti Project, is to begin building housing for members most needy in the community and for school teachers.  The Ste. Marie Madeleine Parish owns land that is close to existing homes and could provide for several new housing units that would be owned by the Parish.  Plans exist for a four plex unit that would contain four apartments of one room each as well as a latrine for the building.

The structure would be built with a concrete base and floor.  The sides would be cement block with a metal roof over timbers.  Each end of the building would have a covered porch providing space for each apartment.

The priest in charge would assign people to apartments.  A agreement would be executed making clear ownership of the building and responsibilities of the occupants.  They would be responsible for the maintenance of the apartment.  The occupant would also be subject to dismissal for not taking proper care of the apartment and living within certain rules and regulations established by the priest in charge.

Cost

This proposal is to construct on building as a sample to develop a model for further units that may be constructed in the future.  The cost of the first unit is $15,000 including the cost of a latrine and contingency of 25 percent.  After completing the model project, it is anticipated that a family housing unit can be completed for $3,000.  Donations for this amount or any part of it will be greatly appreciated.

Construction will be supervised by Pere Kesner Gracia , priest in charge.

Occupants

The proposed unit of four apartments, could house as many as 4 persons each, or 16 people.