Holness says Gov't on track to deliver 70,000 new houses, promises more to meet demand
Published:Monday | July 14, 2025 | 10:17 AM
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says his administration is on course to deliver on its promise of 70,000 new housing solutions, while outlining plans to address Jamaica’s estimated shortage of 150,000 homes.
Speaking Sunday night to a large crowd of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters at a gospel concert in Old Harbour, hosted by St. Catherine South Western Member of Parliament Everald Warmington, Holness detailed the progress of the government’s housing agenda.
“In the last election, the JLP committed to build 70,000 new houses, and the government is well on its way to accomplishing this figure,” Holness declared.
“With the National Housing Trust (NHT) committing to build 43,000 of these homes, and they are on track to deliver that number. Likewise, the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) has been tasked with delivering 15,000 and is on course to complete 8,000, in addition to the Bernard Lodge housing development, which will deliver between 10,000 and 15,000 units.”
Holness added: “So when you take all of this together, in addition to what we are doing under social housing, the government is keeping its promise to build 70,000 new houses—putting them on the market rapidly so that every Jamaican can get the house they deserve.”
Looking ahead, the prime minister announced the next phase of housing development aimed at meeting the broader demand: “So I will be announcing another 60,000 new houses to be built in the next term, and we are well on our way with that.”
He revealed that an enterprise team has been assembled to guide the Greater Innswood Development Plan, spanning St John’s Road, Naseberry Grove, Silver Sun, Kitson Town, and areas of Old Harbour.
Holness also criticised the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP)’s proposal to give young, first-time homebuyers a subsidy of $50,000 as a down payment.
“You can’t give people money to buy houses when there are no houses, because the more money people have to buy houses and there are no houses, the price of the house goes up,” Holness argued.
He concluded: “The real problem is not so much the money to buy the house, but good government strategy should focus on how to build more houses. And that is what this administration has been doing—how to increase the number of houses in Jamaica.”
The PNP has also proposed to build 50,000 housing solutions on government lands—excluding the cost of land—within its first five years if elected.
- Ruddy Mathison
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