KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — A Special Commission reviewing the operations of the National Housing Trust (NHT) has proposed the merger of the entity with the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ).

This is among several recommendations coming out of the commission’s report on the strategic review of the NHT, which was undertaken to improve the efficiency of the entity.

The report was handed over to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, by the commission members during a meeting at his offices in Kingston, today.

Holness, who appointed the commission in July last year, said the report fits the mandate of the Government to improve the NHT’s capacity to provide affordable housing solutions for Jamaicans.

“The NHT can be a catalyst to the ownership of housing. The reason why I mandated this report is to give us a road map as to how we can use the NHT (for this purpose more effectively),” he said.

Holness, who was briefed on the report by Chairman of the NHT, Ambassador Dr Nigel Clarke, said he is also pleased that recommendations were made regarding strengthening of the governance structure of the entity, as well as using the NHT to address the issue of informal settlements by increasing the pace at which housing solutions are provided.