UDC moves ahead with 20,000-plus homes under islandwide housing push

The Urban Development Corporation is pushing forward with a large-scale residential programme that is expected to deliver more than 20,000 new homes in several parts of Jamaica.

At a recent JIS Think Tank, UDC Chairman Norman Brown said the effort is meant to work alongside other state housing agencies and widen the reach of shelter solutions for Jamaicans.

“Presently, our plans are to build in excess of 20,000 houses right across Jamaica in Kingston, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth and St. Ann,” said Mr. Brown.

Roughly half of those units are lined up for the southwest of the island, where the agency aims to bolster recovery from the destruction left by Hurricane Melissa.

“We will be using this opportunity in housing to rebuild the southwestern section of Jamaica. That area alone, we are planning to do at least 10,000 houses, and those plans are now far advanced,” Mr. Brown informed.

The Chairman said the homes will rise on land already held by the UDC. He also said the rollout should speed up once the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) is fully in place.

“That will help us now to move forward with our plans very quickly, so that we can build units so that people can be resettled and get housing opportunities and move on with their lives,” said Mr. Brown.

According to the Chairman, the housing drive sits within the Government’s wider plan to restore communities with stronger protection against future storms.

“As you know, Black River was almost ground zero for Hurricane Melissa. The Government is going to be rebuilding in a resilient way. There is going to be a new urban centre in that area, which will be moved a bit away from the shoreline so it has protection from weather events,” he said.