With reference to your article 2002 Fgura fireworks blast: Bucklands express anger at unfair treatment, no compensation (TMID, 20 March) the Housing Authority, while acknowledging the trauma family Buckland passed through, wishes to correct some misleading statements made.

After the evacuation from their home in Fgura, the mentioned family was placed in a hotel until the Housing Authority found them an alternative accommodation in Santa Lucia. After the necessary maintenance works was carried out, the apartment was given to the family for a period of three years during which period, their house at Fgura would have been reconstructed.

Contrary to what was stated in the mentioned article, it was the Buckland family that returned the keys after just 11 months, and one has to stress that at no point in time has the authority pressured the family to move out of this apartment. It is also to be mentioned that the family has never paid any rent for these 11 months.

During the same period, a grant was given by the Housing Authority to the Buckland family for them to repair the structural damages caused by the explosion at their maisonette in Fgura. Assistance had been granted to the Bucklands even though they did not qualify under the repair scheme as their income exceeded the eligibility criteria. The Housing Authority made an exception as this was considered to be a genuine case.

Dr Paul DeBattista

Chief Executive Officer

Housing Authority