1,446 new homes for St James

A $24-billion housing development that will deliver 1,446 new units in Grange Pen, St James, and expand housing opportunities in the busy tourism parish has been welcomed by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness as a significant step forward following Thursday’s signing of a construction agreement.

Under the deal signed by the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), at least 20 per cent of the units will be reserved for tourism workers as the Government moves to tackle housing shortages in areas experiencing rapid tourism-related growth.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the HAJ’s St Andrew corporate office, Holness said the development also forms part of a wider push by the Government to keep pace with employment opportunities, particularly along the north coast, where informal settlements tend to develop due to insufficient housing solutions.