Over 350 low income homes to be built next year
-communities for redesign, Patterson-Yearwood announces
The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has committed to the construction of over 350 low income housing units in 2019 as part of its continued housing solution plans.
This was disclosed yesterday by Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Patterson-Yearwood during the start of the debate of the government’s proposed 2019 national budget.
“Mr. Speaker it is widely known that the persons in the lower income bracket represent the families in need of housing and they are also the group that has the most challenges to acquire decent, affordable houses. We will be addressing this situation frontally; CH&PA has designed several low income housing units which will be on display at an exhibition in 2019,” Patterson-Yearwood said, while noting that the cost of the units will be $4 million.
“In 2019 the agency will construct approximately 350 to 400 units in several areas. In addition, we will work with the private sector to deliver additional units across the country,” the minister added.
Notwithstanding, house lots will remain available to those who are desirous of constructing their own houses.
In October, it had been announced that under a five-year CH&PA initiative, approximately 2,500 poor families are expected to receive housing assistance, which will include the construction of core homes that will be allocated for free to 250 of the most vulnerable.
Elaborating more on the plans for 2019 as it relates to housing, PattersonYearwood said the CH&PA has reviewed the design layout of selected schemes in order to designate commercial spaces, green spaces, access to services, and improved mobility features, such as bicycle lanes and walkways.
The first area of interest for this specific project is the Cummings Lodge Housing Development, which is earmarked to be the model for future developments of this nature.
Similarly, the community of Sophia will be retrofitted to accommodate the same features, for which the agency is planning to partner with the private sector to construct green low cost houses fitted with LED lights, plumbing that promotes water conservation and improved septic tank display.
Meanwhile, the minister said a sum of $3 million has been allocated for undertaking of a feasibility study and design for proposed new areas in Mabaruma, in Region One, and Lethem, in Region Nine.
The communities of Anna Catherina, Cummings Lodge, Providence, Burma and New Amsterdam are also expected to benefit from infrastructure development that will open up some 213.5 acres of land for housing, which is said to be equivalent to 1,231 house lots.
Further, $204 million has been allocated to upgrade or provide full and partial subsidies for the construction of homes for 51 families in Region Seven, while $3 million will be spent on electrical installation in Recht door zee, Zeeburg, De Willem, Block PP La Penitence, Nonpareil, Peter’s Hall, Providence New Industrial Area, and Amelia’s Ward.
It was also disclosed that $150 million will be spent on home improvement repairs, while $200 million will be spent on core home support through construction of core houses for single-family households and families living in structures that are non-habitable in Region Four.
“The government has commenced discussions with our development partners to secure more financing to undertake new housing development. Once successful, funds will be provided to upgrade infrastructure in all CH&PA schemes, [and] the construction of houses in all regions. In Region One, Mabaruma is earmarked for significant upgrade. Cocorite Hill Housing Scheme will benefit from road upgrade and the construction of a community facility. In Region Two, roads will be upgraded at Anna Regina, Onderneeming and Charity and in Region Eight at Mahdia,” the minister said.
Outlining additional plans for road works, Patterson-Yearwood said $350 million is expected to be spent on the construction of access roads from Farm to Little Diamond on the East Bank, while an additional $472.5 million will be spent to upgrade 11.25 km of road in Schoonard, Onderneeming, Westminster, Recht door zee, Lust-en-Rust, Belle West, Zeelugt Phase two, Uitvlugt; Providence Phase two, Herstelling, Farm Phase 1, Section D North, Nonpareil, Good Hope Phase two and Hope Dochfour; Experiment, Kilcoy Chesney, Tabatinga and Amelia’s Ward Phase 2 and Block 22.