Should the poor own a piece of The Rock?

THE controversial Cooper’s Pen demolition has revived a brisk discussion on the stress and struggles that come with being a property owner. Annual insurance payments, maintenance, legal fees that come with passing the land to your heirs or dislodging squatters are some of the possible costs for those who operate within the formal system and play by the rules.

Jamaica Observer’s Real Estate on the Rock turned to economist Dr Damien King, along with O Dave Allen — executive chairman of an organisation which for years has agitated for the working poor to be land owners — for their views on whether it is practical for everyone to own a piece of The Rock.

Read on for their views in a lightly edited Q&A.