Housing

Concerns raised about relocation project

Residents in the community of Buena Vista, in the district of Colón, are questioning a plan to move 600 families now living in temporary shelters to housing planned for their area.

The government plans to build some 600 houses on 60 hectares of land. Those houses will be designated for families that are living in temporary shelters in Coco Solo, Arco Iris and pension housing in Colón. Many of the families have been living in squalid conditions for up to 15 years, said Cándido Pacheco, regional director of the Ministerio de Vivienda in Colón.

Pacheco explained that the construction of the first 300 houses is currently out for bid, and that the remainder will be mapped out as soon as the land for them is purchased.

Some members of the Buena Vista community, however, are not exactly hitching up the welcome wagon for their prospective neighbors.

The representative of Buena Vista, Juan Eloy Mitre, indicated that the community is very concerned about the impact the new houses will have on the areas water system. Mitre said that no plans have been made to expand the system's capacity.