NHT to Partner for 10,000 Housing Solutions

The National Housing Trust (NHT) will partner with several public and private sector entities to develop more than 10,000 housing solutions over the next four years.

Among these is the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) , which Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says will develop 700 housing solutions at Caymanas, in St. Catherine, at a cost of over $5 billion with NHT financing.

The Prime Minister made the announcement during his 2016/17 Budget Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on May 24.

Mr. Holness said the Caymanas development is being undertaken based on NHT data indicating a “significant demand” for houses in Kingston, St. Andrew, and urban St. Catherine.

The Prime Minister said housing solutions of varying designs and prices will be constructed on the property over the four-year period.

Among the other major projects which he announced  are  Windsor in Trelawny, where 210 housing solutions will be developed; Friendship, St. Elizabeth – 300; Colbeck, St. Catherine – 595; Orchards, St. Catherine – 765; Winchester Estate, Hanover – 1,000; Perth II, Manchester – 1,480; and Friendship, St. James – 1,500.

Meanwhile, Mr. Holness advised that joint venture projects being undertaken by the Housing Ministry at Bernard Lodge in St. Catherine and Green Pond in St. James will be completed and the houses delivered this year.

He said that houses in Green Pond are under construction, while those at Bernard Lodge will begin at the end of June.

Mr. Holness also announced that the Ministry has identified 650 acres of land for which public-private partnerships will be pursued to develop 5,000 additional houses over the next four years.

“Large private developers, such as Gore, WIHCON, Select Homes and others have already committed to providing about 4,000 homes on our North Coast, which will reduce squatting, drive construction, and provide jobs,” he added.