TWO Government ministers have indicated that they are not affiliated with a Connect88 organisation that has been inviting people to apply for housing and food assistance grants.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development Camille Robinson-Regis told the Express on Friday that the State and its agencies would not be charging people to join an organisation.
The Express had contacted the minister to query whether the ministry was affiliated with Connect88 and noted that there was information that people were being asked to pay $150 to register for membership of this entity.
Not Affiliated:
Donna Cox
Social Development Minister Donna Cox yesterday issued a release stating that it is not affiliated and does not endorse Connect88.
She noted that recent reports suggested a link between the ministry and this entity which claims to be able to provide social services to Trinidad and Tobago.
The minister said social services can only be legitimately offered through offices of the ministry throughout the country—at no cost.
She said the ministry maintains a strict policy of transparency and any partnerships or collaborations are officially communicated through appropriate channels.
At this time, there has been no formal connection or association between the ministry and Connect88 Foundation, she said.
Any claims to the contrary, are false, she added.
On Saturday, Chaguanas East MP Vandana Mohit had called for the Social Development Ministry to clarify its position regarding the recent promotions by the Connect88 Foundation at an event held at the Chaguanas Community Centre on February 13, 2025.
She noted that, during the event, the Connect88 Foundation reportedly promoted assistance for housing grants and food cards, raising concerns among residents about the legitimacy of these initiatives and whether they are sanctioned by the Ministry.
Mohit said reports have surfaced suggesting that individuals associated with the Connect88 Foundation may have implied or directly stated that a cost is attached to accessing these services.
This has caused confusion and concern among residents of Chaguanas East and beyond, who rely on these critical social support programmes, she said, calling for Cox to issue a statement.
The Express obtained one of the forms entitled “Housing Assistance Application Form” that Connect88 has been giving to people to obtain housing grants.
It asked applicants what type of assistance they need and requested personal information.
The Express tried calling the phone numbers listed on the form but there was no answer.
There is also no available information online about this purported non-governmental organisation (NGO) except a TikTok account which has 51,000 followers and 229,000 likes.
Its description states “Charity organisation (NGO) Connect Inspire Transform” and phone number is listed -340-0127.
There are numerous videos with a woman inviting people to come to community centres to register to Connect88 and receiving assistance for housing and food grants.
An invitation was issued for people to visit the Valencia Community Centre on January 18, 2025 and there are also videos of scores of people turning out and packing the community centre.
The woman invites people to register to Connect88 if they are seeking urgent housing assistance—if they have land and want a grant to build a home, if they live in a wooden structure and want to upgrade to a concrete house or if they need urgent house repairs.
She said people need to have a salary of less than $7,000 or be unemployed to obtain assistance.
The woman assured that, once approved, the housing grant is “guaranteed for all applicants”. She also invites people to apply for food membership cards.
In another video, the woman invited people to again come out to the Valencia Community Centre on February 8, 2025—the last event in that area.
Five days ago, a TikTok video was posted inviting people to the Chaguanas Community Centre on February 13, 2025.
