News • 24 November 2002

Campaign for Social Housing Justice calls for solidarity with Emanuel Pace

BIRZEBBUGA – The Campaign for Social Housing Justice and the Transplants Support Group Malta joined together yesterday at the Government Housing Estate in Birzebbuga in solidarity with Emanuel Pace, whose disability has made him unable to leave his home due to inadequate amenities.

The CSHJ said Mr Pace is blind and wheelchair bound, and his legs and arms have been amputated. Mr Pace also suffers from kidney problems, warranting visits to St Luke’s hospital for medication three times a week.

The CSHJ are complaining that Mr Pace faces an ordeal of forty steps to be able to leave and re-enter his flat, which is on the third floor.

A fund-raising activity was organised for Mr Pace so that an elevator could be installed in Block B of the Birzebbuga government housing estate, for Mr Pace’s personal use. Mr Pace, the CSHJ claimed, had already made pleas to be given alternative accommodation in Birzebbuga.

Present throughout the activity were Campaign for Social Housing Justice Chairperson Dr Stefan C. Buontempo, and the President of the Transplants Support Group Malta, Mr Alfred Debattista. Birzebbuga Mayor Mr Richard Farrugia was also present.

Dr Buontempo said the CSHJ believed Government has to make sure its housing can serve the social needs of its inhabitants, and failing that provide alternative accommodation. He said other cases like Mr Pace’s existed in Malta, where disabled people and pensioners are asking the Social Housing Department to be given alternative accommodation.

Dr Buontempo said Mr Pace’s only recourse to his problem was to have a lift installed in the flat because had given up hope of ever being given alternative accommodation. Unfortunately, the strictures of the building’s structure will not allow the lift to be built from within but would have to built outside the estate.

The Housing Authority has also contributed to the expenses by paying the lift installation expenses once MEPA approves the application.

People who would like to donate money for Mr Pace can do so through a deposit in one of the following accounts - Bank of Valletta account number 400 1208 6577 or HSBC account number 023 137 318 05.