HOUSING is much neglected yet a stable household builds esteem, confidence, erodes poverty, affords respect, and enures to prosperity. Our leaders underestimate its impact on psyche and society, but if people have decent housing it eases the sting of poverty, builds self-reliance, and gives them a firm stake in the nation-bedrock. It creates jobs, drives demand and produces surplus for further investment, so the virtuous cycle of profit, growth, prosperity continues. We have “high chest” and want to own, but rental housing is what most can afford. The notion that “you can own a home of your own” is born of politics — a cruel joke. Most people in the UK, USA, Russia, Africa don’t own houses — get real!

Cabinets did not proffer a rental option like the UK “Council house” and so mislead many as the National Housing Trust (NHT) is not for the poor — not now not ever. There is animus between owners and tenants, fomented by politics, yet rental units is the shot for the poor and needs investment. The International Monetary Fund must ensure that laws relating to investors and tenants are modern, fair and swiftly adjudicated as investment in rental housing eases social pressure. Owning a house is secondary to being well housed.

We need decent rental housing and the State must incentivise investors. Cabinet must change negative “landlord and tenant” laws and entice investors to build modern, affordable solutions managed by housing associations, pension funds and owners. Give them land tax relief, and where 30 per cent plus of a scheme is for rental, concessions too. The rental market is permanent and large, so let’s fix it.

The recent furore about the NHT says housing is crucial and the use of billions to support the economy and purchase Outameni outraged many. The NHT does not serve the poor but housing engages feral emotions. Food is necessity; but the public does not know if you ate today; but housing is visible and brands you as “wutliss”, scars kids and shames many. If the State erodes this disadvantage via a rental subsidy, hope springs. Andrew Holness’s house caused a stink after being in the news. Some young politicians from business have Beverly Hills houses and Andrew is entitled, but his timing is off. People get emotional about a house in election season. Delroy Chuck blundered into the housing fray recently. To commandeer inner-city land, export the residents to “wherever” and build exclusive enclaves is not kosher. Most MPs do not appreciate its psychic value. Bishop Howard Gregory of the Anglican and Rev Karl Johnson of the Baptist pews seem nonplussed that developers do not want to build affordable housing. Sirs, the poor can’t buy house; rental housing is their option. If it caters to mobile demographics — teacher, nurse, police, doctor, civil servant, parson and the private sector — who may be assigned from base, it will work. The home buyer market is small the market for rental housing, large.

Housing economics gets little priority and metrics are not reported. Correlates of housing-crime, jobs, consumption are not done. Economists do not reference housing demand by region, type, housing starts, market segment. In developed nations housing analytics are crucial to social and political life; education, labour market, transport, clinics and schools. The Planning Institute of Jamaica, banks, NHT should produce monthly data, forecasts and consequential analytics to impact prosperity. Housing is a leveller, empowers; where you live speaks to your being. Postcode prejudice is real. As we look to a prosperous future Cabinet must use rental housing starts to create jobs; homes for the poor, workers, middle class and a secure slot for local investors. The PNP had some hang-up regarding “landlords” and Cabinet should exorcise this as there is a place for good investors. Cabinet should commit to housing every citizen and target poor families for rent subsidy. A UK report: ‘Social Impact of poor housing” cites “the critical impacts that poor quality, overcrowded and temporary accommodation can have on individuals’ health and well-being, likelihood of criminality and education attainment.’ ECOTEC (www.ecotec.com) March 2010. The costs of crime related to poor housing are significant and “There is strong evidence that poor housing conditions result in educational under achievement”. Clearly “of no fixed address” is opaque, code for crime and a recipe for backwardness and chaos.

We need a new housing paradigm; a Great Concordat with the masses “housing for all!” Cabinets have never made a housing commitment to us. Let us demand one this election. They never calibrate housing demand for young workers, the poor, middle class and a burgeoning grey market. An old couple sold house moved to a town house-regret and tears! Where are homes with assisted care or retrofitted for the aged? Portia loves the young; who cares for the old? Some have cash from reverse mortgages and cannot find housing solutions none has stair-lift or assisted living showers? At age 85 do you want to retrofit an old house or get an age appropriate rental unit? No country for old men!

Social housing can herald prosperity, but so far the PNP and JLP ignore rental housing stock and provide no investment sweets. If Cabinet incentivises a first $50b the impact on jobs, consumption, family and self-esteem may be phenomenal! If Cabinet redirects some welfare to housing subsidy mental health at work and school would improve. Cabinet must speak truth openly; everyone cannot own so rental housing could be a win-win. Cabinet knows decent housing not home ownership only is the key to stable families. Everyone needs a front door. Cabinet must refocus on social rental housingso developers have stability. Food is essential but if people live in good houses they will gladly hustle for things they do not have. No more gully bank, no more zinc fence “Wi live inna ‘ouse too!” Stay conscious, my friend!

Dr Franklin Johnston is a strategist, project manager and advisor the minister of education. Send comments to the Observer or franklinjohnstontoo@gmail.com.