ST ANDREW, Jamaica — Minister without Portfolio, with responsibility for Water, Works and Housing, Dr Horace Chang says the housing sector must be governed by meaningful regulations and actions, which will ensure the safety and security of Jamaicans.

Chang made the comments ahead of the Regional Housing Conference to be hosted by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC).

The inaugural housing conference themed, “Providing Safe, Legal and Affordable Housing for All: From Policy to Implementation”, will be held October 18-20 at the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites Hotel, Montego Bay.

 “The conference comes at an opportune time given the need to ensure that our houses are built with the best quality materials, which are environmentally friendly, structurally sound and climate resilient,” said Chang.

He said these considerations are even more important considering recent devastating hurricanes which have impacted several islands in the Caribbean.

“This need is even more urgent in the face of climate change as our Construction Industry must adapt to the new realities, and must ensure that our buildings are robust and can withstand the more intense impacts of climate change, with its extreme weather events,” he explained.