KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday broke ground for 150 serviced lots being developed at Chateau Gardens in Birds Hill, Clarendon.

The lots comprise the first of the development’s two phases being undertaken by the National Housing Trust (NHT) to provide 565 housing solutions at a cost of $593 million.

Friday’s ground breaking marked the second in as many weeks for the Prime Minister in Clarendon. On April 28, he broke ground for 85 housing solutions being built in phase 2A at Longville Park.

In his address to the residents of Birds Hill and neighbouring communities, Holness re-emphasised the need for more stable communities, noting that the prevalence of disorderly home ownership needed to change.

“We are not going to continue the haphazard development of our country. Disorderly settlements breed crime, violence and social disorder (making) it difficult to bring services to the communities,” he said.

The prime minister also re-committed to using the NHT’s funds to build “(housing) solutions that are affordable and match the dignity of the people of Jamaica.”

Holness said between 5,000 and 10,000 affordable housing solutions were being targeted for provision by the NHT in order to meet the growing demand for homes islandwide.

He argued that by satisfying this demand, the NHT would be assisting in transforming Jamaica.

Meanwhile, NHT Chairman, Ambassador Dr Nigel Clarke, told the residents that the agency was focused on “facilitating housing solutions.”

He informed that since the start of the year, the NHT has broken ground for 2,000 housing starts.