NHT hands over Malvern service lots as St Elizabeth housing programme expands

The National Housing Trust has handed over 27 serviced residential lots at Malvern in St Elizabeth, giving selected beneficiaries land with basic infrastructure for future home construction. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, speaking at the ceremony, said the lots provide families with a foundation for ownership, security and long-term stability.

Holness said the subdivision, about 15 kilometres southwest of Santa Cruz, was first developed by the Jamaica Teachers Association Housing Cooperative Limited with 108 residential lots. After reviewing the property, the NHT took responsibility for completing infrastructure works and the remaining 30 lots, later reducing the number to 27 after three were found to have serious flooding concerns.

The completed works include paved roads with kerbs, street naming and traffic signs, storm-water drains, electrical distribution and street lights. Holness said the decision not to sell unsuitable lots reflected the standards expected of the NHT, adding that families should not be encouraged to invest savings in land exposed to avoidable risk.

Of the 27 lots, one was reserved for special groups under the NHT’s special benefits order, while 26 eligible contributors were selected. Nearly 70 per cent of the beneficiaries are women. Five recipients qualified for mortgages at zero per cent, five at two per cent, 12 at four per cent and four at five per cent.

Holness said most of the beneficiaries are between 41 and 60 years old, while four are between 19 and 35. Their occupations include accounting, administration, clerical work, teaching, security, health and safety, housekeeping, child care and other service areas.

The prime minister also said the NHT has delivered more than 1,000 housing solutions in St Elizabeth since its establishment. He said six projects, including Malvern, are planned for completion by 2031 and are expected to add about 1,993 housing solutions in the parish.

He pointed to the NHT’s wider scheme-upgrade programme, under which 109 housing schemes have been identified nationally and 60 rehabilitated so far. In St Elizabeth, he said three schemes have reached practical completion at a cost of J$83 million, including works at Lewisville in New Market, Lower Works and Jerusalem.

Holness also used the occasion to urge new homeowners to maintain their properties and communities, saying housing development must be matched by proper upkeep, waste management and civic responsibility.