Adequate housing must go beyond simply having a roof over one’s head, with affordability, resilience, legal tenure, accessibility and access to basic services all critical to ensuring safe and dignified living conditions.
This was underscored at the World Habitat Day Housing Expo, hosted by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development (MEGID), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at The Summit in New Kingston.
Held on Monday, October 5, 2026 under the theme “Adequate Housing for All,” the Expo brought together housing stakeholders, sponsors and exhibitors to highlight housing solutions and provide information on opportunities and services available to Jamaicans.
Speaking during a live outside broadcast with Mello FM, Senior Director of the Housing Policy Research and Monitoring Unit at MEGID, Paula Parkes, said adequate housing must take into account the full range of conditions necessary for people and families to live safely and securely.
“When people speak of shelter, it’s not just a structure, but it speaks to adequate space, it speaks to the fact that the structure is resilient, it speaks to the fact that you have legal tenure, so there’s no forced eviction. It speaks to affordability as well, and accessibility as it relates to persons with disabilities and it also speaks to access to basic services like potable water, sanitation, electricity, waste management, and so on”, she noted.
Ms. Parkes identified affordability as one of the major challenges facing the housing sector,
“Affordability in relation to their income, their general income, which is a challenge, as you know. But there are other challenges, which is not only affordability in relation to income, but also the inputs to construction, cement and so on, that becomes more expensive every year”, she explained.
The Expo also placed strong emphasis on resilient housing and communities, particularly in light of the increasing impact of natural disasters.
Dr. Kishan Khoday, Resident Representative of the UNDP’s Multi-Country Office in Jamaica, said resilient housing and communities are critical to protecting lives and livelihoods, particularly as Jamaica confronts climate-related risks.
“Having resilient houses and communities means saving lives and protecting families,” he said. “Adequate housing is not only about income. It is also about the quality of dwellings and ensuring that they are safe, secure and resilient. It is also connected to employment, health and education, so all of these factors must be considered together”, he stated.
Dr Khoday also highlighted the challenges posed by informal settlements, noting that greater formalisation can improve access to administrative systems, justice, finance, insurance and other forms of assistance.
He said UNDP’s partnership with the Government of Jamaica includes support for climate-resilient recovery, spatial planning, policy development, technology and alternative building solutions to help communities withstand future shocks.
The World Habitat Day Expo featured discussions and exhibitions focused on housing supply and delivery; equity, accessibility and affordability; and sustainable and resilient communities.
World Habitat Day is observed annually on the first Monday in October.
