Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness on Friday broke ground for a $1.99 billion National Housing Trust (NHT) housing development in Dirlton, St. Mary, which will deliver 360 housing solutions across 72 acres, advancing the Government’s national housing agenda and expanding access to affordable home ownership.
The development, located near Galina, Port Maria, and Oracabessa, is designed to bring formal housing within reach of Jamaican families while strengthening economic activity and community stability across the parish.
Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the project forms part of a deliberate and coordinated national strategy to address Jamaica’s housing deficit, expand access to land ownership, and ensure that economic growth is inclusive.
Central to achieving this objective is the NHT’s Developers Programme, under which a minimum of 60 percent of affordable housing solutions are reserved for the lowest-income contributors to the NHT.
“This ensures the benefits of development are not captured by a few but distributed broadly across the society,” Dr. Holness said.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the Galina housing solutions are designed with both quality and affordability at the forefront. The units will feature modern fixtures, durable construction, and essential infrastructure, including paved roads, drainage systems, potable water, sewage treatment, and electrical distribution, ensuring the creation of a functional community.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also highlighted the role of housing in driving economic activity and national resilience, noting that construction generates employment, strengthens local economies, and improves quality of life.
Prime Minister Holness underscored that the ultimate measure of success will be the lives transformed through access to stable housing, as more Jamaicans gain the opportunity to own a home and build generational security.
“This Galina Housing Development represents a deliberate and strategic investment in people. It reflects a clear understanding that housing is not just a social good; it is a central pillar of economic growth, community stability, and national resilience.”