NHT Targets 7,138 Housing Solutions Under Developers Programme
By: , August 5, 2022
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), presents new Ruthven Towers homeowner, Paula Brown, with the keys to her apartment, during Wednesday’s (August 3) official opening of the complex, situated at 1-3 Ruthven Road, St. Andrew. The complex was developed by the National Housing Trust (NHT).
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), converses with St. Andrew South Eastern Member of Parliament, Julian Robinson, during a tour of phase one of the National Housing Trust’s (NHT) Ruthven Towers apartment complex in Kingston, following the official opening ceremony and handover of keys to the new homeowners on Wednesday (August 3). Ruthven Towers is situated in St. Andrew South Eastern.
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left, foreground), is escorted by National Housing Trust (NHT) Manager for Advertising and Communications Support, Karlene Morgan (right), on a tour of phase one of the entity’s Ruthven Towers apartment complex in Kingston, following the official opening ceremony and handover of keys to the new homeowners on Wednesday (August 3). Immediately behind Mr. Holness is Member of Parliament for St. Andrew South Eastern where Ruthven Towers is located, Julian Robinson.
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (third right), officially opens phase one of the National Housing Trust (NHT) Ruthven Towers apartment complex in St. Andrew on Wednesday (August 3). Also participating in the ribbon-cutting exercise (from left) are Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams; NHT Chairman, Lennox Channer; Ruthven Towers homeowner, Kirk Frankson; NHT Senior General Manager, Donald Moore; and Member of Parliament for St. Andrew South Eastern, where Ruthven Towers is located, Julian Robinson.The Full Story
The National Housing Trust (NHT) plans to construct 7,138 housing solutions under its developers programme.
Under the government policy initiative, introduced in 2019, private developers are invited to participate in the development of properties held in the NHT’s land bank.
The Trust has lands in St. James, Trelawny, St. Mary, St. Elizabeth, St. Ann, Manchester, Westmoreland, Kingston and St. Andrew.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who has portfolio responsibility for the entity, said that one and two-bedrooms units and serviced lots are being targeted for development under the initiative.
“More than 10 per cent of our commitment to new housing solutions will be delivered in collaboration with private-sector developers under the developers programme,” he said.
“The NHT would not have to tie up resources in being project managers and doing the preparatory work. It could be a straight engagement with the private sector,” he pointed out.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the official opening and handover of phase one of the NHT’s Ruthven Towers apartment complex in St. Andrew on Wednesday (August 3).
Mr. Holness advised that the NHT is programming the development of 1,500 housing solutions in 14 communities across Kingston and St. Andrew.
Among these are Majesty Gardens, Vineyard Town, Rasta City and Foreshore Road.
This will increase the delivery of NHT solutions in the Corporate Area from about 8,000 housing units since the entity’s inception in 1976.
“So, within that 1,500, we are making sure that the majority of those go to affordable income and the lowest income-earning categories, so that there is genuine societal equity in how the NHT operates,” he assured.
Phase one of the eight-storey Ruthven Towers apartment complex, located at 1-3 Ruthven Road, comprises 86 units, of which 72 are one-bedroom and 14 are two-bedroom.
Among the features of the development are underground and roof potable water storage tanks, a storm-water drainage system, sewage collection/conveyance system connected to the National
Water Commission’s main, laundry areas, perimeter fencing, and standby generator.
Prime Minister Holness advised that the NHT will be proceeding with phase two of the Ruthven Towers development, which will comprise approximately 234 apartments.