PSP #433 in dire need of infrastructure upgrade
THE EDITOR, Madam:
THIS IS an open letter to Prime Minister Andrew Holness to waiver requirements of the National Housing Trust (NHT) infrastructure upgrade of housing schemes. The Jamaica Information Service, quoting the prime minister’s contribution to the 2019-20 Budget debate in the House of Representatives on March 19, said, “The National Housing Trust is to undertake infrastructure upgrading at 49 housing schemes across the island at a cost of more than $2.5 billion.” ( https://jis.gov.jm/nhtto-upgrade-49-schemes). No doubt, this would be in keeping with Vision 2030 National outcome #15 – Sustainable Urban and Rural Development – the goals of which are to ‘ensure safe, sanitary and affordable shelter for all’.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development posted on its website on June 22, 2021 that the Vaughansfield Housing Scheme in St James has been earmarked for an approximately $35 million infrastructure upgrade project by the Government. This forms part of a multibillion-dollar national programme to upgrade infrastructure of some 100 housing schemes across the island that were constructed in the first 10 years of the NHT.
CONSIDER REVISING THE CRITERIA
I am hereby appealing to the prime minister to consider revising the criteria for NHT houses constructed in the first decade of its inception. Currently, schemes such as Proprietors’ Strata Plan #433 which was purchased from late developer and proprietor – John Cooke by the NHT some three decades ago, consisting of 48 units, the majority of which are 26.75 square metres (288 square feet) – are excluded. The NHT informed us that, because they did not build our scheme, we do not qualify for an upgrade.
This appears to be a travesty of justice. Why the discrimination against PSP#433? Our apartments are among the smallest in Jamaica and there is land space that can accommodate another six feet. There is a house owner who places a mattress on the floor in order to sleep and leans it up when awake to manoeuvre the limited space. The car park is desperately in need of resurfacing, our electrical systems are outdated inter alia.
In addition, I believe that our scheme can qualify as a pilot for the National Identification System programme. This would assist in identifying delinquent owners who are missing in action for many years and have contributed to us being in this precarious position. Mr Prime Minister – PSP#433 needs your urgent attention.
JOAN FRANCIS Secretary, PSP #433 ajfrancis08@gmail.com