THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, announced on Wednesday, February 1, that the benefits to a maximum of $3 million per person to purchase a house, everyone was happy as a bee to hear such good news. It was a feeling of joy to hear that owning a home is no longer a dream but a reality.
But then the real reality checks it. You must be earning at least $17,000 per week, or $68,000 per month, in order to qualiy to get the loan.
What is in this for poor people? Nothing, some may say, with which I totally agree. Let's look at the facts. The minimum wage for Jamaica is $2,800 per week. You must be earning at least $17,000 per week to qualify for National Housing Trust added benefits. There is a big difference between the two figures.
As stated in The Gleaner, dated Friday, February 3, 2006, you can only purchase homes in areas such as Portmore, some parts of Constant Spring, Washington Boulevard, etc., and the target for the loan is the middle-income market. But what about those that are low-income earners?
Crime and violence will not stop unless the Government realises that the people are important and should not be treated like squatters.
I am, etc.,
KIMIKA SMITH
loveable832000@yahoo.com
Kingston 6
