The political leader proposes redirecting subsidies towards sustainable and technically planned housing projects.
SANTO DOMINGO – Zoraima Cuello, vice president of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), declared that the Dominican Republic needs a national plan to guarantee safe housing in appropriate areas . Regarding the damage caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, she stated that “decent housing must be a national priority.”
According to Cuello, exposure to natural hazards highlights the need to strengthen housing infrastructure in vulnerable areas. He pointed out that limited land-use planning and deficient structural conditions continue to affect numerous families. He emphasized that the solution lies not only in increasing the number of homes, but also in applying technical criteria, using appropriate materials, and selecting locations that minimize the impact of weather events.
During an interview on the Telesistema program "El Día," he mentioned that the stormwater drainage has deficiencies that contribute to the rapid accumulation of water in the streets. This situation, he indicated, compromises both urban mobility and the safety of buildings. "It's not just about building, but about prevention ," he stated, recommending a state intervention that includes infrastructure, prevention, and civic education.
Regarding social subsidies, Cuello compared the amount invested in assistance programs with the estimated cost of housing construction. He indicated that an investment of 37 billion pesos could have allowed for the construction of 20,000 housing units , which raises the possibility of reviewing the allocation of resources toward projects with structural impact.
The proposal presented does not rule out aid programs, but rather suggests establishing conditions linked to aspects such as education, access to medical services, and improvements in the family environment. "State support should facilitate social mobility through policies that promote stability," he stated.
La Nueva Barquita project developed by previous administrations, which transformed a community through relocation and housing construction. This case was cited as an example of planning that integrates technical and social factors in the implementation of housing solutions.
Finally, he reiterated that access to adequate housing is a basic need. “Recurring natural disasters are exposing our structural weaknesses. It is time to invest in sustainable housing that reduce exposure to risk,” he concluded.
