Needy Westmoreland seniors get houses

After living in deteriorating houses for several years because of their inability to finance repairs, two elderly residents of Central Westmoreland are now living in greater comfort, thanks to their Member of Parliament (MP), Dwayne Vaz, who presented them with new houses last week.

Jeremiah McFarlane, 88, of Cold Spring in Cornwall Mountain and 87-year-old Eulalee McDonald, of Williamsfield district, were the lucky recipients. The two houses, which were constructed from board and have concrete bases, were constructed at a combine cost of $600,000.

According to McFarlane, who had made several pleas to the authorities over the years for housing assistance, said his former house, which he had inherited from his parents, had all but become inhabitable. 

“I lived in this old house which my parents died and left for me and I was unable to fix it,” said McFarlane. “We had our MPs, Karl Blythe and Roger Clarke, and I begged them to look at the conditions of the house, and nothing was done.”

“Breeze, wasps and rats were in the building with me. I couldn’t sleep when night came,” said McFarlane. “But God was still with me that Mr. Vaz heard my cry and saw my needs, and he assisted me with this house. I thank God for him.”

McDonald was likewise grateful for her new house, after having spent several years living in her old house where she had been born.

 “I lived here a long time because it was here I was born,” said McDonald. “The boards for the house got bad and so I asked for a little help and I got the help. I want to thank Mr. Vaz for giving me this little house, and I can’t tell you how glad I am.”