Gov’t. Adopting Zero Tolerance Approach to Squatting

Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang has emphasised that the Government, would be adopting a zero tolerance approach to squatting.
“This means that from here on in, once we identify new structures going up, they will be demolished,” Dr. Chang said, as he made his presentation in the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, yesterday (June 4).
He also pointed out that the Squatter Management Unit was currently spearheading a project to assess the extent of squatting islandwide.
The project is being done as an inter-agency collaboration with the National Land Agency (NLA), the Forestry Department, the National Housing Trust (NHT), the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC), the Urban Development Corporation UDC), the Department of Local Government, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Spatial Data Management Division within the Office of the Prime Minister.
“At the end of the study, which is scheduled to be completed in October of this year, we will have a clear understanding of where we stand so that we can develop a comprehensive plan of action for moving forward,” Dr. Chang said.
He also informed that in recognition of the need for adequate housing for workers, the Ministry was in the process of identifying those areas along the north coast where major developments were taking place and where there was likely to be an influx of workers.
“Through the NHDC, in conjunction with the National Housing Trust (NHT) and in partnership with the private sector, we will be building a range of affordable solutions to meet the demand and prevent further expansion of the informal settlements,” Dr. Chang said.