MANCHESTER, JAMAICA – [March 7, 2025] – Residents of Manchester Parish expressed overwhelming excitement as Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Andrew Holness and key officials broke ground on the National Housing Trust's (NHT) Mount Nelson housing development on Friday, March 7th.
The project, situated on nearly 500 acres just 3 kilometers from Mandeville, will deliver 1,758 housing solutions within the next three years. Citerina Atkins, Managing Director of Girtes Agro Produce and a New Hall resident, echoed the community's anticipation, stating, "Residents of New Hall have been waiting in high expectation for this groundbreaking, and cannot wait to see the development."
Mount Nelson is the first project being developed under the NHT’s Developer’s Programme, in partnership with Henan Fifth Construction Group Jamaica Ltd. Under the programme, the NHT provides the lands and the developer plans and executes the housing project and sell at least 80% of the solutions to the NHT at an agreed purchase price. The developer must also finance and execute all aspects of the project. The programme prioritises affordability, with at least 60% of the units to be priced to meet the needs of the NHT's lowest income-earning contributors. The development will include a mix of one, two-bedroom and Serviced Lots. Of the 1,758 solutions, 1,468 will be sold through NHT’s arrangements while the developer Henan Fifth will bring to market the remaining 290 units.
In his remarks, keynote speaker Prime Minister Dr. The Honourable Andrew Holness, clarified the role of the NHT in the construction of houses. "The NHT itself does not build houses. The NHT relies on developers and contractors to build houses." explained Prime Minister Holness. He expressed that the Developers Programme is a strategic initiative and is one of the mechanisms used to engage the private sector to meet the growing housing obligations. He emphasised the importance of partnering with robust, reliable, and efficient developers to meet Jamaica’s housing needs
Merline Henry, a New Hall resident and IGL Sales Representative, expressed her enthusiasm for the project's potential impact. "The community will come alive in terms of development and job creation," she said. "Young people will have an opportunity to own their own house, a dream coming to reality." She commended the NHT for its efforts in empowering young Jamaicans, the NHT will make a special reservation of solutions for young adults under the age of 36 years old in keeping with its Young Adults Housing Policy.
The Mount Nelson Housing Development is one of seven housing developments being constructed under the NHT’s Developers Programme. Mount Nelson is a key component of the NHT’s commitment to deliver over 3,500 housing solutions in Manchester by 2029.
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