INFORMATION BOOKLET

PREFACE

 This Information Booklet is designed to educated the public, particularly Cane Farmers and Employees of Caroni (1975) Limited, about the services rendered by the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee and the necessary requirements to qualify for a building lot and/or a housing loan.

This Booklet is divided into five (5) parts, as follows:

1. General Information
2. Requirements for a Housing loan or Building lot
3. Application procedure for loans and lots
4. Charges for services rendered by the Committee
5. Group Insurance offered by the Committee

Generally, the policies and procedures stated in this Booklet are applicable to the date of compilation of the information. From time to time, the policies of the Committee may change in line with current developments taking place in the Housing Sector in Trinidad and Tobago, and our clientele is strongly advised to consult Field Officers on matters that are not covered in the Booklet.

Every effort would be made, however, to update this Booklet as frequently as possible to reflect new policies of the Committee. This will be undertaken against the background of providing up-to-date information and guidance to our client group.

For simplicity, this Booklet is designed in a question and answer format and the Committee anticipates that it will be of immense value to prospective applicants for housing loans and lots.

For general information, a brief history of the Committee and its achievements since its inception in 1952 are give at the end of this Booklet.

October 1996.

SECTION CONTENTS

A General Information

B Requirements for Housing Loan or Building Lot

C Application procedure for Loans and Lots

D List of Service Charges

E Group Insurance Coverage

F History and Achievements of the Committee: 1952 - 1966

===============================================================

1. GENERAL

1. Q. What is the purpose of the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee?

1. The Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee has the power to perform several functions according to the Act which governs its operations, but its main activities are limited to:

1. the disbursement of housing loans;
2. the development and distribution of building lots; and,
3. the maintenance of the Committee's Housing Settlements under its jurisdiction, as Landlord.

2. Q. Who can apply for a Housing Loan or Building Lot?

1. Cane Farmers.

3. Q. Who is a Sugar Worker?

1. A Sugar Worker is any person on the payroll of a Sugar Company or any person employed on large canefarms for a continuous period of at least three (3) years during crop time.

4. Q. Who is a Cane Farmer?

1. A Cane Farmer is any person who has supplied an average of forty (40) tons of cane to a Sugar Company over a period of three (3) consecutive years.

5. Q. Are all Sugar Workers or Cane Farmers entitled to apply for a loan or lot from the Committee?

1. Yes, but there are certain requirements that must be fulfilled by each Sugar Worker or Cane Farmer to make him/her eligible for a loan/lot.

SUGAR WORKERS

6. Q. What are the necessary qualifications for a Sugar Worker to be eligible for a loan or a lot?

1. A Sugar Worker at the date of his/her application, must have worked not less than one hundred and fifty (150) days during each of the immediate past three (3) years. For example if the date of application is in 1996 the three (3) years considered immediately before the date of his/her application are - 1995; 1994 and 1993; and for each of these years he/she must have worked at least one hundred and fifty (150) days. In this case, most Sugar Workers whose employment status are Permanent on staff or Regular or Seasonal workers would qualify.

7. Q. Are Temporary Workers eligible to apply for loans or lots?

1. Yes. But applications for loans from Temporary Workers would be entertained, each on its own merit, particular attention being paid to the applicant's ability to repay the loan.

CANE FARMERS

1. A Cane Farmer must, at the date of his/her application have supplied an average of forty (40) tons of cane over a period of three (3) consecutive years. However, the quantum of loan a cane farmer is granted is based on the tonnage supplied, as follows:

Tons Supplied Loan Qualification

Between 40 - 50 $30,000.00

" 51 - 60 $35,000.00

" 61 - 70 $40,000.00

" 71 - 80 $45,000.00

" 81 - 90 $50,000.00

" 91 - 100 $55,000.00

" 101 - 110 $60,000.00

" 111 - 120 $65,000.00

Above 120 $70,000.00

9. Q. Do Sugar Workers / Cane Farmers need to fulfill other requirements for a loan?

1. Yes. The applicant must be: -

1. A Citizen of Trinidad & Tobago
2. Over eighteen (18) years of age
3. Neither the applicant nor his/her spouse is the owner or part owner of property other than the one for which the loan is being sought.
4. Each applicant is required to contribute in cash or material or labour at least twenty percent (20%) of the total cost of the dwelling house or the difference between the estimated cost and the loan sought.
5. Each applicant should be the owner of land or in the possession of a Deed of lease or a bona fide tenant of a lot of land.
6. The annual income of the household when divided by the number of persons in the household should not exceed $18,854.00. For example, if the total annual earnings of the household is $36,000.00 and there are three (3) members in that household, you divide

10. Q. What type of loans do the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee grants?

1. The Committee grants basically two (2) types of loans, as follows:-

1. A Regular Loan with a maximum ceiling of $25,000.00 for repairs/renovation/extension to existing dwelling houses; and,
2. A Soft Loan with a maximum ceiling of $70,000.00 for the purpose of erecting a new dwelling house.

11. Q. Can a loan be obtained to purchase land and erect a dwelling house?

1. Yes. The Committee grants a loan to a maximum of $15,000.00 to assist prospective clients to pay off for a lot of land and $55,000.00 to assist with the construction of a dwelling house on the said lot of land.

12. Q. Would Technical Assistance be afforded to applicants on receipt of loans?

1. Yes. Technical advice is given free of charge. The Housing Officers of the Sugar Welfare Department monitor the construction/repairs/renovation/extension to dwelling house from start to finish and offer guidance until completion of all projects.

C. APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR LOANS AND LOTS

13. Q. How does a Sugar Worker or Cane Farmer apply for a loan or lot?

1. Application forms for housing loans or lots are obtainable at the undermentioned Offices of the Committee, at a cost of $1.00 each.

1. Head Office,

 

Corner Dove and Balisier Avenues,

Couva.

 

2. Sub Office, San Fernando

14. Q. What documents are required when applying for a loan?

1. The following documents must accompany a completed Application Form for a housing loan:

1. Copies of Birth Certificates of all members of household (including applicant).
2. A copy of Marriage Certificate (where applicable).
3. Two (2) passport size photographs of applicant/s.
4. Copy of Title Deed or Deed of Lease on which house is to be built, extended or repaired.
5. In the case of tenanted lands, rent receipts for the last three- (3) years preceding application.
6. In the case of sugar workers, at least four (4) recent payslips.
7. An approved building plan for construction of dwelling house or extension.
8. A detailed estimate of materials and labour required to construct house or undertake extension/repairs/renovation.
9. Each Cane Farmer must submit a signed statement of Income and Expenditure for cultivation and harvesting of cane for the last three- (3) years.
10. Each applicant should produce evidence of other sources of income (e.g. payslip, job letter, record of sales and purchases etc.) or a sworn declaration, which should not be more than three (3) months old.
11. An application for a further loan should provide the Sugar Welfare Passbook or evidence of previous loan.

15. Q. What processes do loan applications go through for approval?

1. When a completed loan application, with all relevant documents is deposited with the Housing Officer in the respective Divisions:

1. The applicant/s would be visited and interviewed by the Housing Officer for verification of information.
2. A date would be set for the applicant to be interviewed by the Assistant Executive Officer or his Representative.
3. The loan application is then submitted to the Committee for consideration.
4. Letter of approval of loan issued.
5. First Installment processed when the Housing Officer is satisfied that applicant/s has/have expended the required contribution.

16. Q. What processes do lot applications go through for approval?

1. When a completed lot application form, with two (2) passport size photographs, is deposited with the office:

1. The application is investigated by the Housing Officer in the relevant Division to determine living conditions, among other factors.
2. A date would be set for the applicant to be interviewed by the Assistant Executive Officer or his Representative.
3. At the interview at (ii) above, the applicant is required to produce documentary evidence of his ability to commence construction of dwelling house (normally 20% of total cost of project).
4. Lot application is then submitted to the Committee for consideration.
5. If Committee approves lot application, each applicant is invited to the Head Office to draw for a lot.

D. LIST OF SERVICE CHARGES

17. Q. Are there any charges for services rendered by the Committee?

1. Yes. The following are the relevant charges which must be paid by all clients:

1. SQUATTER REGULARISATION $

1. Conduct Revenue Office search to determine

for electrical connection 10.00

3. Engrossment Fee for copying documents 1.00

per page

(b) LEGAL DEPARTMENT $

4. Fees for preparation of:

(i) Deeds of lease (199) years 200.00

(ii) Deeds of Surrender 100.00

5. Fees for preparation of:

(i) Mortgage Bill of Sale 100.00

(ii) Memorandum of Charge 150.00

(iii) Memorandum of Mortgage 150.00

1. Fees for preparation of Releases:

7. Vetting of Legal Documents 100.00

1. TITLE SEARCHES

 

 

11. Real Property Ordinance (Title Search) 75.00

12. Long Search - Common Law 250.00

13. Short Search - Judgement, Lis Pendens 100.00

 

2. MORTGAGE AND FINANCE

14. Statement of Indebtedness 25.00

(e) LAND ASSEMBLY AND CONSTRUCTION

15. Boundary and Re-definition 400.00

16. Extra Cadastral copies (photocopy) per page 1.00

17. Recommendation of plans to approving Agencies 20.00

18. Single print of any layout, map or floor plan 10.00

19. Four complete sets of house plans for construction 500.00

20. Valuation Report on Property 100.00

5. GROUP INSURANCE COVERAGE

18. Q. Are my property and life insured on receipt of a loan?

1. Yes. There are two types of insurance coverage, as follows:

1. A Group Life Insurance Policy which gives coverage for the sum of the approved loan. It is mandatory for all borrowers to join this life policy. If the loan is not repaid and death occurs, the Insurance Company would liquidate the outstanding balance on the loan. Applicant/s is/are afforded the facility to assign Life Insurance policies for approved loan, if so desired.

  

2. A Group Houseowner's Policy that gives insurance coverage to damages to dwelling houses as well as for natural disasters or fires. The premiums for commercial dwelling houses are slightly higher because of the risk factor.

5. HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENTS: 1952 - 1996

The Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament in 1948 to address the housing needs of low income sugar workers and cane farmers. The Committee was originally funded by a levy of two dollars and forty cents ($2.40) for every ton of sugar exported by manufactures. To date, this sum has remained the same and it continues to be the main source of funding for the Committee. It should be noted, however, that in 1981, the Government introduced a Soft Loan Programme as a supplementary measure but this programme was discontinued in 1990, and the Committee now relies on the rotation of funds to continue its loan portfolio.

In 1992, the Committee launched a comprehensive arrears collection drive and over the years this initiative has yielded significant results. The arrears effort has enhanced the balance on the Committee's accounts and as a result, additional funds are available for the granting of housing loans. In addition in 1995, the Committee introduced a system of charges for certain services that it offers and this has also enhanced the financial stability of the Sugar Welfare Department.

From inception to date, the Committee has erected approximately fourteen thousand three hundred (14, 300) mostly three (3) bedroom detached houses and has developed twenty-o e (21) Housing Settlements with full infrastructure and which have yielded a total of approximately two thousand three hundred (2,300) building lots. The Committee's Housing Developments span from Macoya and Maloney in North Trinidad to Cedar Hill and La Gloria Settlements in South Trinidad.

The Committee's most recent Housing Settlement is at Orange Field Road, Carapichaima where lessees have been grated Deeds of Lease for housing lots.

In 1996, the relevant Regulation in the Act was amended so that workers employed on the Diversification Programme of Caroni (1975) Limited can also source loans and apply for building lots from the Committee.

The Committee as an agency of the Ministry of Housing and Settlements continues to work closely with the Ministry in formulation its policies and programmes and carrying out it s day-to-day operations.