The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is set to host its first-ever Resilient Housing Fair on Saturday, May 24, 2025, starting at 9:00 AM, at the Promenade in Roseau. The Ministry has indicated that the event, themed “Resilient Homes-Resilient Nation,” aims to provide homeowners with essential knowledge and resources to build safer, more durable homes.
Participants will include stakeholders from the construction and building industries, as well as representatives from financial institutions, who will showcase their offerings, services, and solutions focused on developing resilient housing in Dominica.
A key feature of the fair will be the unveiling of the Homeowners Manual, a practical and easy-to-use guide designed to assist homeowners and builders in retrofitting their properties to better endure environmental challenges. Additionally, the Ministry will present findings from a national housing survey conducted as part of the “Data and Systems for Resilient Housing Programs in Dominica” initiative.
“This fair is a follow-up to the Symposium on Disaster Resilience and Financing held in March 2024. It is organized to expand on the insights gained regarding housing retrofit policies, financing models, and approaches, providing practical, actionable guidance to bridge the gap between construction theory and real-world application,” stated Hon. Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, Minister for Housing and Urban Development.
“The Resilient Housing Fair is designed to create a platform where building professionals, homeowners, and businesses can deepen their understanding of resilient construction techniques. The event aims to promote community engagement, raise awareness about building conditions, and serve as a vibrant space for learning, networking, and collaboration. It also offers unique opportunities for exhibitors and homeowners to connect and exchange ideas on resilient housing,” the Minister added.
Furthermore, the Ministry’s Urban Development Unit reports that it will launch two initiatives: Paint-The-Town, which focuses on improving and beautifying building exteriors, and the Urban Garden Venture, aimed at transforming vacant lots into attractive, productive green spaces within Roseau.
Senior government officials, including Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit and Minister Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, who is also the Parliamentary Representative for Roseau Central, are expected to deliver speeches at the event. The fair will also feature interactive exhibits and live entertainment.
The Resilient Housing Fair is supported by Build Change, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the Green Climate Fund.