Ministry of Housing Launches Roof Retrofitting Guide to Strengthen Homes

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with Build Change and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched the Roof Retrofitting for Resilience Guide on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

The resource is designed to equip homeowners and building professionals with practical tools and technical guidance to strengthen homes across Dominica against extreme weather and natural hazards.

The Guide, launched during the first-ever Dominica Resilient Housing Fair, was

developed following a nationwide survey of over 500 existing houses. Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, said it reflects the Government’s commitment to empowering citizens with knowledge to promote safer, more resilient communities.

“We have taken on the responsibility to provide hands-on, actionable guidance

showcasing practical resilient housing solutions, building materials, retrofitting

techniques, and resilient construction practices- tools and resources applicable for

enhancing the comfort and safety of our homes during the passage of any storm or

weather system,” the Minister told the Fair’s opening ceremony. She said the Housing Survey measured the progress achieved and pinpointed areas of vulnerability within the housing sector.

“Under this Project we have advanced the preparation of a retrofit programme that will

allow us to engage both private sector and international organizations and financial

institutions as we upgrade the existing housing stock to meet resilience standards in

Dominica,” she noted.

The guide forms part of the Government of Dominica’s broader effort to enhance climate resilience and improve the structural safety of housing across the island.

Minister for Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security

Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre welcomed the launch of the guide, highlighting its role in

enhancing overall building performance and reducing disaster-related damage.

“It is my hope that the manual being launched today, and the forthcoming Technical and Supervision Manuals will become household companions, especially as we move deeper into this era of intensified storms and environmental risks. The tips on retrofitting techniques, property maintenance, land stability, drainage and hazard awareness are extremely timely in these times,” he said.

Presenting the survey findings, Pierre Paya of Build Change emphasized that retrofitting is a cost and time efficient method of protecting property in Dominica, especially for homes with galvanized roofs, which were identified as particularly vulnerable.