28 Houses to be Built for Indigent Persons

Twenty-eight houses will be built for indigent persons across the island this financial year at a cost of $52 million.

This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, during his contribution to the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 16.

He noted that two concrete structures will be built per parish. The process will begin in St. Andrew, where sites have been identified in Irish Town and Kintyre, with St. Thomas and Hanover to follow.

The Local Government Minister explained that one of his strongest desires is to see indigent persons, outside of infirmary care, living in housing that promote dignity and modernity, and reflect an improvement over the traditional wooden structures.

He noted that the Ministry, in partnership with the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, designed and built two modern, concrete indigent housing solutions at Palmer’s Cross and Crofts Hill.

These structures feature, among other things, self-contained kitchens and bathrooms and proper ventilation for the occupants, he said.

Meanwhile, Minister McKenzie said the Government is continuing work to improve the infrastructure of the country’s infirmaries, which now house 1,405 residents.

“This year, we will commence construction of a new male ward at the Portland Infirmary at a cost of $45 million [and] the St. Elizabeth Infirmary will receive a new administrative building at a cost of $16 million,” he informed.

Also, new matron’s quarters will be built at the Westmoreland infirmary at a cost of $20 million.

“These and other works will be done at a cost of $200 million through a joint partnership between the Ministry and the National Housing Trust (NHT),” Minister McKenzie told the House.

He commended the NHT Board and in particular the recent Chairman, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, who is now Minister of Finance and the Public Service.