Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander is calling for an investigation into previous practices at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) after several constituents complained that they were required to pay hundreds of dollars in fees before being approved for a home.
Alexander, the Member of Parliament for Tunapuna, told the Express that constituents had visited his office with receipts dating back to 2024, showing payments of $700 for a “search fee” and an additional $120 for a “processing fee”.
He said the payments, totalling $820 per applicant, were reportedly made before the individuals were informed whether their housing applications had been approved or whether they would be allocated a home.
Describing the situation as peculiar and suspicious, Alexander questioned the rationale for requiring applicants to pay such fees without any guarantee of receiving a home.
He said the complaints were particularly concerning because they had come from several constituents rather than a single individual, raising questions about whether the practice was widespread.
Alexander stressed that the circumstances warranted further scrutiny to determine the legitimacy of the charges, the purpose for which the money was collected and whether the fees formed part of the HDC’s approved procedures.
The minister said he intended to raise the matter with Housing Minister David Lee to seek clarification and determine whether an investigation was necessary.
He also urged members of the public to exercise caution when making payments connected to housing applications, warning that individuals desperate to secure affordable homes could become easy targets for unscrupulous operators.
Alexander said prospective homeowners should ask questions, verify the legitimacy of any charges and ensure that payments were being made through authorised channels.
He pointed to previous instances in which unsuspecting citizens had allegedly been defrauded of substantial sums by individuals promising to secure HDC homes in exchange for money.
The minister warned that the growing use of online platforms had created additional opportunities for fraudsters to exploit vulnerable people.
He expressed particular concern about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) to make fraudulent schemes appear more convincing, including through deceptive online communications and impersonation.
Alexander urged citizens to remain vigilant, especially when approached by individuals claiming to have influence over housing allocations or offering to fast-track applications in exchange for payments.
The Express sent questions to both Housing Minister David Lee and HDC chairman Feeroz Khan seeking clarification on the reported fees and whether they were authorised charges.
However, there was no immediate response.
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