Donald Francis

DONALD Francis, an ill senior citizen, and former caretaker of a property belonging to a financial instutution at 37 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5, is desperately clinging to hopes that the abode he has called home for nearly 20 years won't be demolished, leaving his family without a roof over their head.

The financial institution has confirmed that the board structure in which the former caretaker and his family reside is set to be torn down, as it has been deemed a hazard by the relevant authorities.

The matter is now before the court as Francis has claimed that he was promised by the financial institution that he and his family could have occupied the house until what was thought to be his impending death - due to the nature of his illness.

Francis, who was made medically redundant approximately two years ago, believes that because he has beaten the odds, the financial institution has gone back on its word.

medical condition

"Although everybody say it fi get demolish from the end of July, mi have faith dat di people mi work wid for so many years nah go destroy a house which dem promise me, an lef mi an mi family pon di sidewalk, jus because the house ugly," he told The STAR.

Francis is hopeful that his medical condition and long association with the property, located at the corner of Argyle and Lady Musgrave roads in St Andrew, will evoke some pity from his former employer.

Donna Cole, property manager, referred us to the, institution's secretary, Delroy Redway, who confirmed that the issue is now before the court and is a sensitive matter.

"The matter is a legal issue and the lawyers have advised, out of an abundance of caution, that it's advisable not to give any information which could prejudice the proceedings," said Redway, adding that the matter has been before the court for a while.

The STAR understands that the property, which has apartments to the rear of the board structure, has tremendous real estate value, which the institution intends to capitalise on.

Whereas Francis clings to hopes that the demolition won't happen, his wife, who is also ill, is not too optimistic.

She and other members of his family believe the financial institutions's failure to honour its alleged promise is a sure sign that they would soon be without a place to call home.

Old house at 37 Lady Musgrave Road.