[WATCH] Rennovations on Paola housing estate to be finished by year's end

Social solidarity minister Michael Farrugia said that the works on the Paola, St. Paul's Bay and Isla housing estates would cost some €700,000

(Photo: Ray Attard)
(Photo: Ray Attard)
Social solidarity minister Michael Farrugia said that the works would cost some €700,000 • Video by Ray Attard

Repair and maintenance works in the St Paul's Bay, Paola and Isla housing estates will cost some €700,000, social solidarity minister Michael Farrugia said.

Speaking during a press conference in front of the housing estate in Paola, Farrugia said that the repairs, maintenance and embellishment projects were part of the government's drive to provide favourable and safe housing for families.

Farrugia explained that the housing estates in these localities had required urgent attention due to their dire condition. He added that maintenance had unfortunately been considered unnecessary for a long time, and that the government is making sure that the houses in question are well taken care of.

“We are making sure that the houses are frequently maintained to make sure that the property will be enjoyed for many years and generations to come,” Farrugia said, adding that the rehabilitation projects have been allotted some €1.3 million.

“Any of the funds not used this year will go into projects of the same kind next year," he said, adding that the government planned to finish some 508 projects by the end of this year.

Farrugia added that the four blocks in Paola, which are currently undergoing works after 60 years, had required extensive works including the reconstruction of roofs as well as changes in the drainage systems among others.

 “These works are expected to reach their final stages by the end of the year,” Farrugia said.

"They will effect some 40 families and four families have been provided with alternative accommodation while the work is in progress," he added.

Farrugia added that the government had already carried out some 7,200 projects on 1,200 different blocks since 2012.

He added that the government had also provided some €151,000 in financial aid to some 60 families who needed to improve their home environments from sub-standard conditions.

“These funds have helped families to install electric systems in their homes, as well as providing families with necessary tiling to make their homes safer and to introduce required installations in bathrooms among others,” he said.