NHT Breaks Ground on Record $9.6 Billion Rozelle Housing Development in St. Thomas

895 Housing Solutions to Be Delivered Through the Guaranteed Purchase Programme

ROZELLE, ST. THOMAS - The National Housing Trust (NHT) officially broken ground for the Rozelle Housing Development in St. Thomas on Friday May 8. The $9.65 billion investment is expected to significantly expand access to affordable housing in the parish while advancing the Trust’s wider national housing programme.

The development, which is being undertaken through the NHT’s Guaranteed Purchase Programme (GPP), will deliver a total of 895 housing solutions on approximately 187 acres of land located three kilometres west of the Morant Bay Town Centre.

Under the arrangement, New Rozelle Properties Limited will construct 660 housing solutions for the NHT, while retaining 235 units. The project will comprise one and two-bedroom detached homes designed to meet the growing demand for housing in the parish.

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together government officials, development partners, and residents, all underscoring the growing momentum behind housing expansion and economic development in St. Thomas.

During his keynote address, Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness said the project reflects the NHT’s ongoing commitment to ensuring more Jamaicans can access affordable housing opportunities.

Describing the agency as Jamaica’s most important housing institutions, the Prime Minister noted that more than 270,000 mortgagors have benefited from the Trust since its inception.                                     

“Our policies are geared towards ensuring that more Jamaicans are able to enter the housing market and access affordable housing,” Dr. Holness said.

He added that the NHT is well on its way to delivering more than 40,000 housing solutions across the island, noting that the GPP would be integral in this delivery. 

“The Guaranteed Purchase Programme is a wonderful innovation because it allows us to partner more effectively with private developers to accelerate housing delivery, reduce uncertainty in the market, and expand access to affordable housing solutions for Jamaicans across the island,” the Prime Minister said.

That collaborative approach was echoed by Chairman of New Rozelle Properties Limited, Mr. John Sinclair, who said the development represents far more than physical construction.

“What begins here today is more than construction; it is an opportunity for families to live in dignity,” Mr. Sinclair said.

His remarks were reinforced by Member of Parliament for St. Thomas Western, Mr. James Robertson, who described the project as another significant milestone in the parish’s continued transformation.

“This development is adding to the rich history of St. Thomas, and I am confident more developments will follow,” Mr. Robertson said, adding that the groundbreaking ceremony filled him with pride.

The broader national impact of developments like Rozelle was further highlighted by NHT Chairman Linval Freeman, who pointed to the scale of housing activity currently underway across the island.

“Addressing Jamaica’s housing challenges requires sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors. Through initiatives like the Guaranteed Purchase Programme, the NHT is creating a stronger framework for housing delivery by reducing market uncertainty, encouraging investment, and accelerating the construction of affordable homes for Jamaicans across the island,” Chairman Freeman said.

Under the programme, private developers conceptualise and execute housing projects while the NHT guarantees the purchase of some or all units, reducing market uncertainty and creating greater confidence for investment and expansion.

Through arrangements such as these, developments like Rozelle can move from concept to construction more efficiently while expanding access to affordable homeownership for Jamaican families. The development is expected to play an important role in the continued growth and transformation of St. Thomas, bringing hundreds of families closer to the dream of homeownership.

With shovel in hand, Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness (third left) leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rozelle Housing Development. Joining him are (from left) Member of Parliament for St. Thomas Western James Robertson, Diandra Bramwell of New Rozelle Properties Limited, NHT Chairman Linval Freeman, NHT Managing Director Mr. Martin Miller, and Chairman of New Rozelle Properties Limited  John Sinclair.

-30-