The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund announced on Monday that it will provide $3 million in seed funding for a program that will make home mortgages available to ordinary Haitian citizens for the first time in the countrys history. On its face, this sounds great doesn’t it? But to me, this is kind of ridiculous.
Billions have been raised in the name of rebuilding Haiti after the devastating earthquake of January 2010. Why are we not just GIVING Haitians money to build and/or repair their homes? The program has $47 million available but Haitians need to create debt in order to rebuild???
Let me guess the group’s financing this initiative are not Haitian-based businesses and, therefore Haitians stand to gain precious litte from this initiative. Even though the monies will give liquidity to Haitian banks and other lending institutions, how will the average Haitian benefit from creating debt in an almost non-existent local economy where employment is scarce?
What Haiti needs today are smart investments that will create economic opportunities and lay the groundwork for long-term, sustainable growth, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund CEO Gary Edson said. By providing funding for programs such as this, were making it possible for ordinary Haitians to own their own home as well as their own future success and prosperity. So many Haitians still living in make-shift tents who have lost life, property, family and even dignity must now create debt in order to rebuild their lives?????? Mr. Edson, couldn’t Haitians own their own homes without borrowing the money? I agree that creating economic opportunities is necessary in Haiti. I understand the need for a viable and sustainable economy in Haiti but why on the backs of the victims you claim to want to help?
Let Haitian businesses borrow the money or corporations who wish to invest in Haiti, not the people who have already suffered enough. JUST BUILD THE HOMES AND GIVE THEM TO HAITIANS!!!!
Anyway, who are these loans going to be given to? I seriously doubt the folks still living tents are going to be headed to the bank for a mortgage! So exactly whom is going to benefit from these loans I ask?? I could go on and on the full will never be told….
To read more about this program click here….
