By the end of next year, Long Look should have a new social home complex to house residents who are homeless or facing other struggles, officials said last week.
During a Nov. 3 ceremony, the Ministry of Health and Social Development signed a contract worth $1,722,396.36 with Island Concrete Limited to build the facility by December 2026.
The complex will offer “structured accommodation” and “comprehensive support services” for chronically homeless residents and other people facing severe social and economic hardship, according to government.
It will be designed to complement the existing Safe Haven Transitional Centre in Pasea by providing a steppingstone toward rehabilitation, reintegration and independent living, officials said.
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley, who represents much of Long Look in the House of Assembly, described the contract as “a symbol of our collective compassion and commitment to ensuring that every Virgin Islander, regardless of circumstance, has access to the support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity.”
He added that social progress is as vital to the territory’s well-being as economic growth.
Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley said his ministry has intensified its efforts to modernise its facilities following the passage of the Public Assistance Act, 2024.
“The Long Look social home complex is not just a building,” he said. “It is a safe place for recovery, empowerment and transition and a testament to what can be achieved when government, private sector and community work together for the common good.”
Project contractor Dion Crabbe, the managing director of Island Concrete Limited, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a project that directly impacts his home community, according to government.
He also stated his company’s commitment to completing the project on time and on budget while involving Long Look residents in the construction process.
British Caribbean News
