Low interest loans for the Cashew Hill and surrounding communities available for hurricanes, flood, and other climate change events

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The Department of Environment and the Sustainable Island Resource Framework (SIRF) Fund is pleased to invite persons within the Cashew Hill sub-watershed to apply to the Revolving Fund Programme for Loans that would assist them in building resilience against the negative effects and impacts of climate change. For the purposes on the Enhanced Direct Access (EDA) Project, the sub-watershed spans an area bounded by the capital city of St. John’s in the north and north-west; Ottos, Gray Hill and Golden Grove New Extension in the west; Bendals in the south and Potters in the East (see map attached).

 

This loan programme will provide small loans of up to EC $200,000 at a rate of 2% interest per annum for households and businesses to make improvements that help them better adapt to climate change impacts. Adaptation measures eligible for funding include:

 

Water management use and efficiency: 

  • Water efficient applications;
  • Water recycling systems;
  • Rainwater harvesting and storage;
  • Small irrigation measures; and
  • Septic systems for buildings.

 

 

Climate Smart Buildings – sustainable building practices and facility for extreme climatic events: 

  • Roof insulation and/or envelop improvement;
  • Green roofs;
  • Green gardens; and
  • Climate change resilience to existing storage structures (safe rooms/ bunker)

 

Flood control: 

  • Green infrastructure (previous surfaces); and
  • Increasing foundation heights/stilts.

 

 

Structural adjustments that increase climate change resilience: 

  • Roof reinforcement; and
  • Strengthening windows and doors; and
  • Installing hurricane shutters.

 

 

Renewable Energy Systems: 

  • Enhancing access to clean energy solutions (e.g. solar cooling, solar water heating, energy efficient air conditioners, etc.);
  • Applications for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy as a part of a wider project for increasing resilience to climate change;

 

 

To be eligible to apply for this revolving loan programme, individuals should reside in the project area and own their homes and businesses. The project area is the following communities:

 

  • Cashew Hill;
  • Golden Grove and Golden Grove New Extension;
  • Nut Grove;
  • Ottos;
  • Belmont / Briggins;

 

To apply for the Revolving Fund Programme or for more information, interested individuals can visit the SIRF Fund office at The Victory Center, Nugent Avenue, or contact us at 464-5030 or 464-5031 (including WhatsApp). Application forms can also be found on the Department of Environment’s website at https://www.environment.gov.ag/en/sirf#application. The deadline for application is March 31st, 2021.

 

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