PM criticises opposition's promise of housing deposit grant for young aspiring homeowners

 

With a general election to be held this year, the political rhetoric is heating up as Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness takes aim at the People's National Party's plan to allocate $1 million in grants to young aspiring homeowners to use toward their deposits. 

 

The PNP has promised that if it forms the next government, it will create a young owners deposit fund within the National Housing Trust to allow people under 35 who have contributed to the NHT for at least two years to access a $500,000 deposit grant. 

 

Speaking at a recent groundbreaking ceremony for the Brookside Estate Housing Development in Spot Valley, St. James recently, Dr. Holness described the plan as unrealistic.

 

"The politicians that are promising you flying horses, like putting up $1 billion to pay down deposits, you know how many people that would be? Out of that cohort between 18 to 39 who would be considered youth, young, you're looking at over 40,000 people, and you are going to take a billion dollars to give 2,000 people. How are you going to choose them? And why would you give that category and not give to other categories of people as well? A horse that you promise can fly, but I guarantee you, that horse cyan fly," he retorted. 

 

Prime Minister Holness argued that the solution to the housing problem for young people should not be to give a subsidy to some individuals, but instead should be focused on increasing the number of houses to satisfy the demand. 

 

Dr. Holness warned voters to be careful of a politician who will seek to take advantage of their frustration and anger about the housing market. 

 

"They're going to make promises to you that may address your concern now, and you may even vote or change your vote as a result of it, but when it comes time to fulfill it, it can't be fulfilled. And then you become part of the disbelieving, frustrated voter who believes that politics can't change anything. In other words, this cycle of political apathy, this is what created it. In my lifetime as a political representative, I have tried my best and I think I've done very well to avoid making promises that cannot be kept," he asserted.

 

 

In the meantime, opposition spokesperson for housing and sustainable living Senator Professor Floyd Morris has said the Holness administration has failed miserably in providing affordable houses for the Jamaican people over the last nine years. 

 

In dismissing the government's housing policies as outlined by the prime minister, Professor Morris said the focus on low income contributors to the National Housing Trust is an election gimmick as they have been abandoned during the two terms of the administration. 

 

He said the government has also missed targets for the delivery of housing units through the NHT, while houses and lots being sold by the Housing Agency of Jamaica are out of the reach of ordinary Jamaicans. 

 

Professor Morris has endorsed the housing ideas put forward by Opposition Leader Mark Golding, saying the wide array of initiatives will tackle the affordable housing crisis and build cohesive communities.