Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (August 26) handed over keys to 60 new homeowners at Catherine Estate (Bernard Lodge Estate) housing development, located on Salt Pond Road in St Catherine.

The units have been affordably priced for lower income earners.

“It is a pleasure for me to be here today as we officially hand over the keys to 51 homes at the Catherine Estate development,” Holness shared.

The development was originally planned in 2009 as a low income housing development in collaboration with private sector partners.

Unfortunately, it did not materialise and, in 2012, the new administration took over the programme.

Under the new administration, the programme started with the clearing of land and collecting of deposits.

“The government was willing to return the deposits to the persons who had paid, hoping that the project would have gone on but there were some persons who said no, I am leaving my deposits with you so whenever the project comes on stream I want to be a part of it. We have fulfilled the commitment that if they had left their deposits they would be entitled in this new dispensation of the project to get their homes,” Holness disclosed during his presentation.

The Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) partnered with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to deliver Catherine Estate after much delay over the years.

Catherine Estate is being developed on approximately 200 acres of land in an excellent location north of Highway 2000.

“For the 51 units placed on the market through the Catherine Estate development, there were over 14,000 applicants. That shows you the demand, how are we going to do that as a Government, we have to do it in partnership with out private sector. We need this strong partnership so that we can deliver these houses quickly,” Holness pointed out.

The prime minister said the Government was targeting 70,000 low-cost housing solutions over the next five years to address the growing need for housing.

He added: “The HAJ and National Housing Trust (NHT) have collaborated, having regard to the sales of these units under what is called the guaranteed purchase programme policy. Under the programme, developers conceptualise and execute their development plans while the NHT absorbs the market risk by purchasing all or a part of the development.”

“The NHT is pleased to have partnered with the HAJ here at Catherine Estate. Our partnership involved the purchasing and marketing half of the units in the development under our guaranteed purchase programme,” shared Lennox Channer, chairman of the NHT.

The houses were originally advertised for $4.5 million but have appreciated over the years with the duplex studios costing $6.5 million while the one-bedroom unit costs $7.2 million.

 “No matter where you go, these are very affordable and reasonable units along with the land space that you get,” Holness noted.

Catherine Estate is intended to create an integrated, sustainable community with the provision of 1,650 housing solutions. Lot sizes will range from 223 square metres (2,400sq. ft.) to 260 square metres (2,800sq.ft.). Each housing unit will be configured for easy upward and outward expansion.

This development is targeting Jamaicans ages 25 to 45, low-income households, first-time homeowners, public sector workers, teachers, police personnel and firefighters.

The prime minister highlighted that they are all represented in the 51 individuals that received a key at the handover today, “so we are being very targeted to the beneficiary groups”.

It was also announced that space is being reserved for a high school and a primary school on nine acres of land. There are also areas designated for several parks, green space and for commercial operations.

The NHT plans that, in the coming years, the organisation will retool, reorganise and revisit the housing programme to make homeownership a reality for more of its contributors.

“I am happy and pleased that we are able to hand over these new houses to the beneficiaries. May these houses improve your welfare, may these houses improve the quality of your life. May your families thrive in these houses and enjoy the prosperity of having your own home,” Holness said.