NHC to occupy over 15,000 derelict spots

There are over 15,000 abandoned house spots across the country and the National Housing Corporation (NHC) plans to utilise those vacant properties in order to meet the “substantial” demand for housing, Ministry of Housing Permanent Secretary Timothy Maynard has told Parliament.

He said: “There are over 15,000 derelict properties in both the private sector and public sector. If we can find people willing to partner with Government we can utilise those.

“Persons who may have circumstances where their land taxes are exorbitant and they have gone overseas for an extraordinary period of time. There is every intention to acquire and to deal with those problems so that social and affordable housing will be supplied as there is a substantial need at this time.”

The Permanent Secretary explained that there were also other lands that are actively being acquired.

“There are plans to acquire properties at Rock Close in The Pine to expand the opportunities for constructing there,” Maynard said. “There are also plans to acquire lands in Work Hall, St Philip to be able to regularise a tenantries situation there that needs urgent attention. There are plans to acquire lands in Sergeants Village to build some quads there.”

Maynard was at the time responding to a question from former housing minister George Payne who pointed out that only $2 million was appropriated for land acquisition.

Payne, the St Andrew MP, said: “Let us hear if you are having new acquisitions for the people of White Hill. The people in White Hill live in unbelievable conditions day in and day out. We made a pledge to those people and nothing has happened.

“I have not heard anything in this debate about acquisitions. The minister is short on that. Are we going to acquire the lands to speak to the housing developments of which he speaks?”

But Maynard reiterated that land acquisitions are a priority for the ministry.

The Permanent Secretary said: “Reality is the minister has also spoken to the fact that wherever we can find available lots for housing construction. In The City, there has been an indication that there has been some small lots, single lots, two lots at a time for availability so that you can help to bring life back into The City. Wherever possible those lands will be acquired.

“This paper is being developed now there is also the proposal in relation to derelict houses. We want to be able to acquire some lands, the Prime Minister has also spoken about this, we want to acquire some lands in some properties where they are left in a derelict condition to be able to work hand in glove with those landlords; if landlords can be found to either enter into a joint venture arrangement to restore those or if the landlords can’t be found to acquire the lands outright and be able to utilise them in particular conditions and circumstances for the benefit of people who really need that kind of accommodation.”
(IMC)