An MP believes addressing squatting holistically could be a gateway to reducing poverty in T&T.

Yesterday, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee was told by Land Settlement Agency CEO, Hazar Hosein, that there are 60,000 squatting households in the country.

In a statement today, Mayaro MP Rushton Paray says squatting communities typically face a number of issues including a lack of running water, drainage and electricity.

He adds that they are also prone to low income levels and limited educational opportunities for children.

Mr Paray believes if part of T&T $9 billion in transfers and subsidies is redirected to address squatting related issues, there would be lower poverty rates, improved health conditions and reduced national security costs.