The Government is pursuing a range of measures to improve access to housing by addressing affordability, land tenure and other issues affecting housing development across Jamaica.
Chief Technical Director for Housing, Urban Renewal and Projects in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development (MEGID), Authrine Scarlett, said increasing access to affordable housing remains a priority, particularly for lower-middle-income and lower-income Jamaicans.
Speaking at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’, Mrs. Scarlett noted that while construction activity continues across the island, efforts are being focused on ensuring that more housing solutions are accessible to those who need them most.
“It is no secret that there is a lot of construction taking place across the country. However, affordability remains a challenge, particularly for persons within the lower-middle-income and lower-income groups. Addressing that gap is one of the key areas we are focused on to ensure that adequate housing options are available to these individuals,” she said.
Mrs. Scarlett indicated that the Ministry is also working to address issues related to land tenure and land titling, noting that many parcels of land across Jamaica remain unregistered.
She explained that while some persons occupy land and own homes that require repairs or expansion, the absence of legal title often limits their ability to access financing or fully utilise their property.
“That is another area we are working to address, particularly issues related to land tenure and land titling,” she said.
The Chief Technical Director further noted that efforts are also being directed towards addressing challenges associated with illegal settlements, squatting and inadequate infrastructure in some communities.
She stressed that housing development extends beyond the construction of homes and must include the supporting infrastructure and services needed to create sustainable communities.
“Housing is not just about the structure itself. It is also about the infrastructure and the services required to ensure that communities are sustainable and able to meet the needs of residents,” Mrs. Scarlett said.
She added that the location of housing developments is equally important, as access to essential services such as water, sanitation, transportation and employment opportunities must be taken into consideration.
“People will naturally gravitate towards areas where economic opportunities exist, so that is an important factor in housing development and planning,” she noted.
Mrs. Scarlett said the Government continues to partner with the private sector, particularly through the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ), to increase the supply of affordable housing solutions for lower-middle-income households.
Credit: Jamaica Information Service
