CENTRAL Kingston residents are optimistic about plans to construct new housing projects in their communities but have also launched an appeal to Member of Parliament Donovan Williams to ensure the buildings are properly constructed to comfortably house them.

Some of the residents who occupy premises at 43 Hanover Street made the appeal based on a past experience a few years ago, where the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) relocated them to what they call “a badly dilapidated building” at the corner of Hanover and Laws streets, which had no roof and exposed them to the elements.

The original plan, which involved the UDC, was to relocate the residents and then construct concrete housing units on the property. After the units were complete, residents moved back in on their own initiative due to the unbearable circumstances in the dilapidated building. According to residents, some of the units, which they described as “matches boxes”, were a far cry from what they expected and said the wooden structures they lived in before were far more comfortable and spacious for their families.

Roughly 20 residents, including young children, were slated to benefit from that UDC project. The current occupants of the property have been given first preference to own the new units although the project, which should start before the end of this year, is not exclusive to them.

Residents insist Williams and the new developers to this time, “get it right”.

Marjorie Chin-Lewis, who has lived at 43 Hanover Street for 40 years, told the Jamaica Observer that she is looking forward to the better living conditions.

“The UDC seh dem did ago find somewhere to put we. They put us in an old building weh nuh have no roof. Water come een and mi mother catch pneumonia and died.

“The UDC said when they build up 43 Hanover Street, we could go back over. The structures that UDC built were small, but give thanks and praises that it was better than the old building. Because of the rain, I dash away my furniture because dem soak. Hopefully this new project is better. They wrote me up for two bedrooms but I am curious where they are going to put us in the meantime,” she said, suggesting that relocation to that dilapidated building again should not be an option.

Wendy, another resident who will benefit from the project, recommended that the MP put something in place to have them stay temporarily at a ‘humane location’ until the project is complete.

“The last time around — 2015 — dem tell di people dem seh dem was going to put dem inna one place. Meanwhile, they were doing the project, they messed it up. They took the people out of their two bedroom and tell tell dem seh dem ago come back over. When the people fi come back over, there is no bedroom for them. Dem tek people out of board houses weh did have two to three rooms for their families. This time, we want to know exactly what the project is about; how many bedrooms, the size and where they are going to put us in the meantime.

“I have four children so I am going to need at least two bedrooms with a little space to put two beds in one room. When they take us off the property, they should give us a location with a roof and set it up where we can pay a small rent because you can’t take us out of something and then put us in rubbish while we wait,” Wendy said.

The project promises not only new and improved living conditions for the residents. According Miriam Wong, it creates an opportunity for her and others to earn a salary by being part of the construction team.

“We as a people would like to would like to work on the project too because we nuh have no work,” she told told the Observer.

According to MP Williams, approval has been given for 14 apartment style houses to be built to benefit over 20 residents.

“It will benefit the people who lived there and others who have been living in deplorable conditions. We have seen the need for these people to be relocated and they will be benefiting through the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) pogramme”.

Meanwhile, Williams said that the Fleet Street housing scheme in Parade Gardens is due major renovation.

“We will be renovating the entire Parade Gardens housing scheme on Fleet Street. Total renovation means roofing, fencing, painting, asphalting and landscaping.

“The National Housing Trust (NHT) is assisting us with Fleet Street under its scheme upgrade programme. Every year they upgrade some of the schemes that they built over the years. That scheme was built in the 1980s and since then, it has not had any form of intervention and rehabilitation so it is ripe for development. We are at a stage now of procurement and that is going to be a game changer in Southside,” Williams told the Observer.

The first-time MP shared plans for other upgrade projects in various communities across Central Kingston. At a section of South Camp Road, just below its intersection with East Queen Street, Williams pointed to an area that usually has a lot of garbage on the sidewalk. According to Williams, efforts have been made to beautify the space by creating a mural; however, the dumping problem persists.

Williams also pointed to unsightly buildings in the area, which are in need of a facelift.

“South Camp Road is the gateway to the waterfront and the Norman Manley International Airport. It is a major thoroughfare. If you notice on South Camp Road, there used to be a lot of garbage. We cleaned it up and we got it decorated and we now have a mural. But across the street is a housing scheme that is an eye sore. It is totally defaced and needs a painting job. The walls are cracked up and apartments are leaking.

“They need parking facilities, there is no roads in there and there is no gate. We intend to raise the fence in tandem with the National Housing Trust. That place is going to be looking like a new scheme. Outside of that, we have identified lands that are suitable for potentially affordable housing units but that is a work in progress.”