EDITORIAL - Positive moves by NHT

A new vision in how to facilitate homeownership is emerging from the National Housing Trust (NHT) based on the recently announced lending programmes which the agency will be introducing in January 2011. For the majority of Jamaicans, a home is the most valuable asset they will ever own and is also viewed as the cornerstone for their advancement. We see these as important steps in that direction.

In explaining one of the new measures, Prime Minister Bruce Golding gave details of how the trust is going about building a bridge between a parent who has an entitlement and no need for a house, to a child who has a need but has no entitlement.

For too long, the national housing policy has been driven by government dictates rather than the delivery of popular solutions desired by contributors of the NHT. Now, with these new lending facilities, the NHT is taking into account the aspirations of scores of young people who are short on cash and need the help of their parents to launch them into the realm of homeownership.

There is also the possibility that this move by the NHT is in anticipation of the dramatic shifts in public spending which are likely to occur in the new year, which may mean loss of jobs and a slashing of other social benefits as the Government struggles to carve out its new Budget. Buying a house in such an environment could be very difficult.

Since the NHT was established in 1976, successive governments have kept true to the mandate to ameliorate the worst effects of overcrowding by ushering low- and middle-income earners into a home. Despite the incentives offered by the NHT, however, the harsh economic times have dimmed the prospects for many first-time homebuyers.

Admittedly, the proud culture of homeownership now thriving in many communities across the country could not exist in the present form if there were no NHT. Some of these schemes have become model communities where citizens can revel in the security of shelter for their families.

Community reinvestment

There are, however, some schemes which have been allowed to deteriorate and have become eyesores. The civic leadership in these communities ought to take charge and rally support for a kind of renewal which will bring back civic pride through community reinvestment.

Now that the NHT is in this visionary mode, the Government should turn its attention to conceiving bold new solutions for the thousands of Jamaicans who now are squatting in sub-standard, often subhuman conditions in Corporate Area slums and other urban centres throughout the country.

It is a most difficult task, bearing in mind that the people who need assistance most in getting shelter are those who fall below the poverty line. While everyone cannot live in luxury, a way has to be found to provide social housing for those who need it most.

The Government's role will move from leadership to facilitator, and as the big picture emerges, we look to our Government to be innovator and responder. It is difficult to morph into all these roles, but the challenging issue of low-income housing development demands that the Government perform these separate roles.

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