THE FIRST phase of the Government's inner-city housing project is expected to start in the next four weeks in Arnett Gardens, south St. Andrew.
Dr. Vincent George, of the National Housing Trust (NHT), announced last night at the handing over of 20 certificates of title to residents of Avon Crescent, Arnett Gardens, that about 252 two and three-bedroom units are to be built in the first phase of the project to be constructed by Astrom Engineering Ltd.
He said the NHT was awaiting the necessary paperwork from the Ministry of Water and Housing to start the project. Construction should be completed in nine months.
The houses will be built in a high-rise format on lands donated by the Water and Housing Ministry. The units have been priced at an average $1 million and do not require applicants to be prior NHT contributors. However, upon acceptance of their application, they are expected to start contributing.
Dr. Omar Davies, Member of Parliament for the area, in highlighting the significance of the project, reminded his constituents that the houses were not free and that they must pay in order to receive a unit. He also issued a stern warning to the community that the contractors on the project must be allowed to carry out their work or he would not hesitate to close the project.
Minister of Water and Housing, Donald Buchanan, in congratulating the beneficiaries of the new housing units in Mexico, Arnett Gardens, encouraged them to maintain their units in order to improve the standard of the community and their well-being.
