The mission of the National Housing Trust will be reshaped in order to address the number of squatter settlements across the island
Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the board of the state entity has been instructed to review its operations so that it is better able to serve contributors, by providing housing solutions and affordable mortgages.
The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday (Feb 23) at the handing over ceremony, where families received keys to their new homes at the Estuary housing scheme in Friendship, St. James.
Mr. Holness says the NHT review of squatting has been completed and will go before Cabinet at its next sitting.
He says after the NHT operational review report is debated in the Houses of Parliament, the government will pilot policies that will reshape the NHT and deter the need for persons to gravitate to squatting in search of having and owning a house.
Meantime, the Prime Minister says he is committed to ensuring that citizens receive quality services, while holding the directed authorities accountable for delivering those services, which affects the quality of life.
He alluded to his promise to Jamaicans for easier access to home ownership through the NHT, which has created housing solutions for people in a timely manner since its reformation.
The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday at the handing over ceremony to new homeowners at the Estuary housing development in St. James.
The NHT broke ground for the establishment of over 11,000 houses for citizens in St. James last year, and yesterday it handed over keys to approximately 80 new home owners.
Mr. Holness says the role of the government, is to ensure that the public sector works efficiently to provide services for Jamaicans in an effective and timely manner, as well as to ensure equal opportunity for access to all.
He emphasized that the solution to the ills affecting the country is reforming the existing institutions, using its current resources.
He says the NHT will provide over 8,500 units for more than 8,000 families, who will get a key to their own home, resulting in a record number of mortgages being offered by the trust.