Just in time for the holiday season officials from the Urban Renewal 2.0 programme handed over the keys to a newly built home to a man who had lived in squalor conditions for years.

On Tuesday, Thompson Lane resident Herman Bullard turned the key to his new single-storey yellow and white home that stands on the same the property as his old house.

According to Officer in Charge of the Centreville Urban Renewal Inspector Ricardo Richardson, during a routine check of the area a few months ago, the officers stumbled upon the home that he said was littered with insects and pests.

“The house had no roof, it had no door and it shouldn’t even have been called a building,” Mr. Richardson added. “We passed the house and said there is no way someone should be living in here like this.”

Urban Renewal partnered with Inline Construction Company for the building and Great Commission Ministries who housed Mr. Bullard as his new old was demolished and being rebuilt.

“If you can’t show someone where he is going wrong then your living would be in vain,” Co-chair of Urban Renewal Cynthia Pratt said.

“We came here to celebrate another day when somebody can say they have been renewed. This is Urban Renewal. Mr. Bullard is being renewed.”

At the handover ceremony Mr. Bullard expressed great gratitude to those responsible, as well as Prime Minister Perry Christie, who was also in attendance, or his new home.

“Old things bring new things,” Mr. Bullard beamed. “You all even gave me a certificate with my name on it, this means this house is just for me.

“I think I will hang this on my door or on my wall.”

“We are very happy for you and we congratulate you,” Prime Minister Christie said. “Christmas is coming and you will be in here for Christmas. We hope that you take care of yourself and enjoy your new home.”