The Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) recently handed over 52 land titles to beneficiaries from communities across Western Jamaica.

Beneficiaries are from Norwood, Retirement, Rose Heights, Pitfour and Flanker in St. James, Galloway, Whitehouse and Whitehall in Westmoreland, and Fisherman’s Village in Hanover.

The titles were handed over during a ceremony held at the Hillview Baptist Church in St. James.

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (Western Region), Homer Davis, in his remarks commended beneficiaries, arguing that they should be proud to have their documents.

He implored them to encourage others in their communities to also get their titles. “Let them know that there is hope, because you have been waiting a long time, and so I commend you; I commend the HAJ and may God continue to give you the vision and the strength,” he said.

Meanwhile Custos of St James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin, congratulated the beneficiaries, noting that the wait for their titles was worth it.

He also urged persons who are yet to receive their titles from the HAJ to visit their offices to find out how to do so.

“There are scores of titles in the vault at HAJ, they are there to be collected, so we invite you to visit one of the agency’s offices and start the dialogue on how you can get your title,” Custos Pitkin said.

“Owning a piece of this rock and holding a title in your hands is empowerment for you and your family. With your title, you can go to NHT (National Housing Trust) and say, ‘Miss or Sir, I own a piece of land and I want to expand on my house, and I want to discuss with you how I can get a mortgage’. With a title in your hand, you are a proud landowner,” he said.

For her part, managing director of the HAJ, Doreen Prendergast, told the beneficiaries that the HAJ recognises that acquiring their land titles has come with “perseverance and sacrifice”, noting that their efforts to regularise their land tenure was worthwhile.