Holness presses private developers on affordable housing as NHT scholarship deadline nears

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has renewed his appeal for private developers to take a leading role in delivering affordable housing, arguing that the state cannot alone close a national shortfall estimated at roughly 150,000 units.

Speaking at the groundbreaking for the Wick Hall development in Spanish Town, Holness pointed to the project—221 homes on 36 acres—as a model for middle- and lower-income housing outside upscale urban builds. He urged developers to adopt modern construction methods to cut costs and reach price points accessible to buyers who cannot afford homes priced in the tens of millions of dollars. He said affordable housing is vital to reducing informal settlements and reaffirmed the government's target of 70,000 units, with stronger private-sector partnerships needed to meet long-term goals.

Students in construction-related programmes may apply until June 20 for the National Housing Trust's 2026–2027 construction scholarship. NHT Assistant General Manager for Human Capital Management Donetta Russell said awards of up to $1 million per year can cover tuition and, in some cases, accommodation for studies in fields such as civil engineering, architecture and quantity surveying at accredited local institutions.

Community groups, faith-based organisations and civil-society bodies may also apply to the Community Arranged Response Efforts Fund, launched Monday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said the initiative will back projects that strengthen families, promote healthy lifestyles and improve community well-being.

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has announced a $35 million renovation of the Marie Atkins Night Shelter in downtown Kingston. Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby told the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Council the works will expand capacity and allow persons now at the Church Street facility to be transferred, restoring that site for use as an emergency shelter during hurricanes and other disasters.

Tufton also outlined plans to expand cancer screening and treatment after technical discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Geneva, including upgrades to LINAC facilities, wider mammography access and additional equipment over the next two to three years.

On the markets, Mayberry Investments' Christopher Thomas told RJR News that investor exits from Jamaican equities to join the SpaceX IPO contributed to heavy Jamaica Stock Exchange volatility last week, with circuit breakers triggered 22 times. Mayberry acquired a 20% stake in Equity Capital Management Limited for $1 billion, giving it majority control of Dollar Financial, which posted first-quarter 2026 net profit of $187 million. Active trading on June 15 was led by Knutsford Holdings Jamaica Limited, Trans Jamaica Highway Limited and Productive Business Solutions Limited.

In regional news, Barbados Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Monroe-Knight said the country's annual food import bill has more than doubled in three years, from $6 billion to $13.76 billion, as Guyana's regional food hub reached about halfway to completion.

Jamaica's National Senior and Junior Championships run June 18–21 at the National Stadium as trials for Pan-American and Commonwealth Games teams, with top names including Oblique Seville, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson expected. The West Indies defeated Sri Lanka 2–1 in their T20 series after a five-wicket win at Sabina Park on Sunday, with head coach Darren Sammy calling it a step toward the 2028 T20 World Cup.