The residents of La Barquita, the slum area on the banks of the Ozama River, say that they are upset and desperate and they are calling for a new census of the houses there. They say that the census done by the government overstates the “real” number of houses in the barrio and those who will receive housing in a new governmental project for Barquita residents.
During a meeting at the “Milagrosa” Church, community leaders and neighbors joined together to ask President Danilo Medina to order the new census with the community leaders taking an active role so that only the people that actually live in the barrio benefit from the new housing.
One leader told reporters: “The census showed the number of 2,200 families, when the community organizations here have a study showing 1,775 families. We do not know their intentions.”
The community organizers said that the inflated number of “residents” would triple the cost of relocation. Because of the arrival of the 2013 hurricane season, many residents are worrying about flooding once more.