493 Housing Units to be Built Under Government’s Facilitation Programme

West Indies Home Contractors Limited (WIHCON) is set to begin its first housing project in western Jamaica, under the government’s Facilitation Programme.
Minister of Water and Housing, Donald Buchanan, signed an agreement with WIHCON today (December 21) at the Ministry in Kingston, to give government’s approval for the construction of 493 two-bedroom units in Spot Valley Estate in St James.
Under the Facilitation Programme, the private sector is invited to contribute shelter inputs, such as land, finance, technical skills and competencies, while the Ministry facilitates the expedition of the approval process, production of titles and tax incentives that enables the delivery of more affordable housing solutions on the open market.
Mr. Buchanan hailed the signing as a significant and timely venture and one which served to illustrate government’s shift in the provision of goods and services to that of an enabler and facilitator.
“Over the next two to three years we are going to be seeing in excess of 2,000 new hotel rooms coming on stream, which is going to require several thousands of workers in those areas and we have to provide housing solutions. Therefore, this is a most timely and significant investment by WIHCON in western Jamaica,” the Minister emphasised.
“We have recognized that the key element in the approach to shelter production is the creation of the right policy framework within which the resources of all the stakeholders can be harnessed most effectively,” he added.
Mr. Buchanan further said that the recognition of this approach led to the Joint Venture Policy document of March 2003, which has made provisions for the implementation of housing projects to the benefit of the private sector, the purchasers, the Ministry of Water and Housing and the country.
He urged the private sector to be more involved in the programme. “I invite the private sector to come aboard and assist with the Facilitation Programme,” he implored.
This new housing development will be WIHCON’s third housing project under the government’s Facilitation Programme. The two others are Eltham Vistas outside of Spanish Town, with 465 completed houses valued at $2.2 billion, and a further 597 units, which are under construction at the Aviary located in St. Catherine.
Construction of the houses in Spot Valley located south of Barrett Town is valued at $1.7 billion, and has a value of $3.45 million per unit. The two bedroom unit will be of a Hampton model, comprising 65 square metres on a 372 square-metre lot. The project will last for 2