WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao has to deal with significant price increases. Inflation in October 2022 was 6.7% compared to a year earlier. The government has now decided to increase the minimum wage as of January 1 to compensate for part of the price increases. However, this does not help pensioners, while it is precisely for this group that inflation makes their financial situation even more difficult than it already was.  

The Minister of Spatial Planning (VVRP) Charles Cooper and Social Housing Foundation (FKP) have therefore decided to give a temporary discount to retired social housing tenants. This concerns both regular houses and social houses owned by FKP. The discount is intended for people who receive an AOV benefit. For a period of six months, FKP will reduce the net rent (ie the rent after the deduction of any rent subsidy) by 10%. The discount will be applied for the period from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023. From July 1, 2023, the 2022 rates will apply again. 

The monthly rent paid by the tenants (directly or via the Social Insurance Bank) will remain unchanged. However, FKP will refund 10% of the net rent paid during those 6 months after the end of that period. Payment is made to the tenant's bank account. Retired tenants without a bank account must report to the cash register of FKP in July 2023. Reimbursement will take place after the deduction of the discount against any payment arrears.  

With this decision, FKP and the Minister of VVRP hope to temporarily provide some financial relief to the retired tenants of social housing.