PNP calls for greater focus on low-income housing for Jamaicans

Shadow Minister on Housing and Sustainable Living Senator Dr. Floyd Morris is calling for greater focus to be placed on low-income housing for Jamaicans. In a release, Senator Morris expressed concern that very little is being done to build affordable houses for the vast majority of contributors to the National Housing Trust (NHT).

He noted that low-income earners who are earning approximately $31,000.00 per week make up approximately 70 per cent of NHT contributors, however, houses that are being built by the national institutions mandated to construct houses are not prioritising low-income earners. “The majority of houses that are being built cost anywhere upwards of $17 million and these are out of the reach of workers who are contributing to the NHT,” said Dr. Morris. He added that the issue is exacerbated by the fact that the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) which was specifically established to drive low-income housing development for Jamaicans is also building and selling above the reach of its intended consumers.

Dr. Morris who was recently reappointed to the shadow Cabinet is adamant that the government needs to get its priorities straight, and questioned: “Does the government care about young people who are graduating from colleges and want to get a home to purchase? What about the policemen and women who are making sacrifices for our country? Does the government care about persons with disabilities and their need for affordable shelter? And what about our civil servants who continue to work tirelessly for the development of our country?”

He offered that a future People’s National Party (PNP) administration would prioritise low-income housing for Jamaicans as done in the past with Operation Pride, developments in Portmore and many other communities.