Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Arlene Williams, says the government remains committed to transforming lives through sustainable housing solutions, especially for the most vulnerable, as demonstrated by the recently launched Haven Housing Development Project.

Williams, in referencing the Haven Housing Development project, outlined that every setback is a setup for a comeback. This saying, she says, emphasises viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and eventual success. “So, instead of being discouraged by obstacles, one should see them as chances to learn, adapt and become even stronger. For you, the 83 residents of 41 to 43 Hanover Street, 38 of whom are children, you have received your fair share of setbacks, judging from the dilapidated and unsafe state of your dwellings, many of which bear the scars of previous fires and of highly inadequate infrastructure,” she said.

The permanent secretary noted, however, that despite the odds and the residents’ current living conditions, they have displayed uncommon resilience through the Haven Housing Development Project, which will be constructed under the new Social Housing Programme. “The government, through the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, is moving to set you on the path towards a significant comeback in your lives, ensuring that you recover and emerge even stronger than before,” she said, speaking at the contract signing and groundbreaking ceremony for the Haven Housing Development Project on Thursday.

The new Social Housing Programme was initiated in response to the urgent need for adequate, affordable shelter for the most vulnerable members of society. An assessment also revealed that approximately 6,000 households within this group are living in extremely poor conditions, Williams said.

Williams further revealed that the programme is implemented through three modalities. “One, we have the single detached units. Two, relocation of vulnerable populations, such as persons at risk of flooding. And three, the upgrade of tenements through multifamily housing solutions… today, under the single detached modality, we are building not only safe and decent homes for you to live in, we are building back your pride, your dignity, your hope in a better, brighter future for yourselves and your children.

“Every Jamaican deserves the chance to feel this sense of pride. And so the vision of Prime Minister Andrew Holness has led us to this point where we are signing contracts, breaking ground, and handing over units at a much faster rate since the programme’s inception,” she added.

As of August 7, Williams revealed, a total of 300 housing units have been completed under the new Social Housing Programme, benefiting over 1,082 individuals across 57 of the 63 constituencies. “There are 45 active construction projects or 93 rooms across 19 constituencies, which are expected to be completed shortly. Work on an additional 65 projects or 173 units comprising 384 rooms is expected to commence during this financial year,” Williams said, noting that the government and the ministry are moving quickly to deliver units to meet the demand.

The PS also expressed that the project is aptly called a haven because when completed, the new units will be the residents’ haven, and places of safety and refuge.

“The project will be constructed at a cost of approximately $189 million. The contractor, Yardworks Construction Company Limited, will construct a total of 21 units consisting of three studios, one one-bedroom, six two-bedroom units, and 11 three-bedroom units. It is estimated that the project, which will commence this month, will last for 12 months with an anticipated completion of August 2026,” she added.