THE EDITOR, Sir:PLEASE ALLOW me to share with your readers, and hopefully some of our policy makers on one hand and our developers on the other, the courting of social and environmental disaster that we seem determined to foster. I refer to our failure to address the issue of housing which has resulted in the perpetuation of squatting, particularly in our tourist resort areas.
The extremely hard work by a number of Jamaicans is bearing fruit in attracting large scale investments in our tourism and hospitality industry. Current estimates suggest that within the next few years, we can expect some 5,000 new rooms. A number of new properties are coming on stream. Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay, Negril and Whitehouse on the south coast are all to be opened shortly.
SUCCESS
As we celebrate our success in expanding the rooms plant, no one, it seems, is addressing the fundamental issue of housing for hotel workers. Whitehouse for example, will carry a staff complement of approximately 500 persons. We already know that there is a correlation which says that with every worker, we can expect at least two additional dependants. This would mean that there is an immediate demand for housing some 1,500 persons. Making the generous assumption that 20 per cent will be housed on or near the property, there will still be a need for 1,200 homes. On a national scale, we need to build 15,000 homes for this sector alone. Without the construction of homes, the result will be squatting on a scale not hitherto experienced.
Five years ago, as President of the JHTA, I raised concerns about the problem and to be fair to the government, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson committed to providing land at peppercorn rates to assist. I had discussions with Mechala, a full-service company then, to package a housing solution which would address the needs of workers who are earning anything from $4,000 to $6,000 per week, inclusive of gratuities. This plan fell on its face because the model at the National Housing Trust could not accommodate the needed mortgage requirements.
I am submitting that there is an urgent need for us to find a solution to this problem. It is inconceivable to have such a large employed cadre of persons and we cannot find a mechanism to provide them with options to own a home. Our failure will inevitably result in our murdering the goose even as we see the golden egg emerging.
I am, etc.,
JAMES SAMUELS
Jacks Hill
St. Andrew
