Holness urge homeowners to build within their means

WESTERN BUREAU:

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness wants the beneficiaries of the National Housing Trust's (NHT) Malvern service lot development in St Elizabeth to build their homes within their financial means, arguing that sustainable wealth is created gradually through responsible homeownership and careful financial planning.

Addressing the new landowners during last week’s handover ceremony, Holness said owning land represents the first step toward building lasting family wealth and stability.

"For many Jamaicans, owning a home begins with owning land. It begins with a piece of Jamaica that they can call theirs, a place to build slowly,” said Holness. “Some will build quickly, but whatever you do, build carefully and always build within your means." Holness told the beneficiaries.

"This is how wealth is built in real life – one lot, one title, one foundation, one family at a time," he added.

Holness said the service lots provide more than land as it is offering families the infrastructure needed to establish secure communities.

"A service lot is more than a plot of land. It gives a family a legacy to call their own. It gives them roads, drainage, electricity, streetlights, and the confidence that their investment is being made on proper ground in a planned community with the basic infrastructure already in place," he said.

Holness also stated that prospective homeowners must budget not only for construction but also for the long-term upkeep of their properties.

"Nothing lasts forever. Concrete deteriorates as well. The paint will fade and strip. You have to constantly maintain your house in order for it to keep value," he said. "I say this again to those of you who will be homeowners here, your plan must include maintenance of the structure that you build."

Holness also encouraged residents to take responsibility for the appearance and upkeep of their communities, arguing that homeownership extends beyond the boundaries of individual properties.

"We're going to be building many lovely houses here, but the beauty of the house is not just at your front door and inside. It's how the road looks coming into your property, how your verge looks, how your sidewalk looks," he said.

The Malvern subdivision, which is located approximately 15 kilometres southwest of Santa Cruz, consists of 27 serviced lots. The NHT assumed responsibility for completing infrastructure works after determining that additional improvements were required to make the development suitable for housing.

Holness also used the opportunity to commend the NHT for removing three lots from the original development plan after assessments revealed serious flooding concerns.

"If land is likely to flood, we must say so. If a lot is unsuitable, we must accept that evidence. Families should never be encouraged to put their life savings into a place that may later be exposed to loss, damage, or distress," he said.

Of the 27 lots, one was reserved under the NHT's Special Benefit Order, while 26 eligible contributors were selected as beneficiaries. Nearly 70 per cent of the successful applicants are women.

The development, which cost more than $100 million, includes paved roadways, storm-water drainage systems, electrical infrastructure and street lighting.

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