ROBERT Pickersgill, the housing minister, has called on the private sector to partner with the government to provide more than 30,000 houses each year, for the next five years, if the housing needs of Jamaica are to be met.

“I believe the way forward must involve a strong and effective partnership between government and the private sector,” Pickersgill said.

However, the minister, who was addressing the FirstCaribbean Building Society Housing and Home Ownership Expo at the Hilton Hotel in Kingston on Sunday, said that partners must be prepared to take up equal interest in the venture.

“We are not interested in partnering with people who believe that the government must bear responsibility for the liability while they benefit from all the profits,” said the minister.

He added: “We are looking for people who will treat us as respected equal in the partnership and who will conduct their business in a manner that can withstand scrutiny.”

Pickersgill, in the meantime, said it was now time to explore issues relating to land zoning, reducing transfer tax for first-time homeowners on purchases below a certain value, allowing mortgage payments up to a certain value as a tax deductible expense and improving the approvals process.

The suggestions were warmly welcomed by Milton Brady, managing director of FirstCaribbean International Bank, who said the allowance of a portion of mortgage payments as a tax deductible expense would make it easier for persons to own homes. “This would mean that a certain amount of your interest payment would be deducted from tax payments,” he said.

He also welcomed the idea of reduction of transfer tax, which he said at 20 per cent was too high. “We should move towards six to eight per cent (rate), which is what they have in the United States and the United Kingdom,” he said

“What that means is that you wouldn’t have to hold on to your house for so long before you can sell… this will provide more affordable houses for persons,” he added.