Plans by Government to restore the housing stock in a number of communities near Sabina Park in time for Cricket World Cup 2007 have hit a snag.

In 2004, former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson announced Government would be embarking on a project to improve houses in a number of communities near Sabina Park, including Woodford Park, Kingston Gardens and sections of Allman Town.

However, some residents told The Gleaner recently that, to date, no state agency had visited the area to discuss the project.

Several agencies linked to Cricket World Cup 2007, including the Kingston City Centre Improvement Company, the Social Development Commission, the Urban Development Corporation and the Office of the Prime Minister, said they had no knowledge of the initiative.

Low-income houses

Meanwhile, residents of Goodwin Park (near Sabina Park) say the National Housing Trust (NHT) had proposed to construct low-income houses in the community.

Michael Beckett, of 1 Goodwin Park Road, says the NHT had indicated late last year that the residents would have first option of purchasing the units.

However, he is concerned that nine months have elapsed and no move has yet been made to kick-start the project.

No vacant land

Dr. Vincent George, senior general manager of corporate services at the NHT, said the trust conducted a population survey of Goodwin Park in November 2005 because of its proximity to Sabina Park, one of the venues for Cricket World Cup 2007.

Dr. George said the survey was done with the intention of improving the housing stock in the area.

However, in a written response, he explained that the project has hit a hurdle, noting that the NHT was unable to find vacant land to build new apartments.

Another obstacle faced by the trust, according to Dr. George, is the unavailability of temporary housing to which the residents would be relocated during construction.

The NHT senior general manager said that, as a result of these challenges, no further development had taken place on the proposed project.