Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the National Housing Trust (NHT) is effective and equitable in providing housing options for many Jamaicans with lower incomes.
He says where the trust cannot be utilized by someone; the government provides other options for affordable housing through its social housing programme. Following a recent chiding of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ remark that the national housing trust is not a charity, Holness is seemingly setting the record straight as he highlights the government has done its part to ensure low income persons can access homes through the organization. PM Holness says a 2016 CAPRI study revealed that the NHT was misdirected in its policy emphasis. However, he says addressing that issue was among the first things he did when he became prime minister.
He says the government has also introduced new policies to make receiving an NHT loan more attainable. However, even with the changes Holness says many Jamaicans are still unable to access loans as they have no source of income. In those instances, he notes the government’s Social Housing Programme is a more appropriate option. He also says the government is effective in providing shelter for the homeless.
Holness was speaking at the handover ceremony of a home, under the Social Housing Programme for a family of six in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth.
Reporter: Velonique Bowen
