The Housing Agency of Jamaica continues to be profitable, targets St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine for most new housing starts

 


The Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited (HAJ) has plans to commence construction of 795 housing units and deliver 563 units to the market during the 2025/26 financial year.

The housing starts will comprise of 337 units in St Elizabeth, 290 units in St Catherine, 96 units in St James and 72 units in St Andrew.

Meanwhile, 452 units are slated be delivered to the market in St Catherine while 111 units will be delivered in St James.

HAJ projects a net profit of $725.51 million by year end 2026 (2024/25: $988.95 million). It plans to reduce staff to 92 from current levels of 110.

HAJ was incorporated on a change of name from the National Housing Development Corporation Limited (NHDC) in September 2008. Notably the NHDC was formed through the merger of the Caribbean Housing Finance Corporation Limited, the National Housing Corporation Limited and Operation P.R.I.D.E.

The objective of the change of name was to rebrand and reposition the organization in the housing industry. The HAJ targets demand for shelter, primarily in the low- and middle-income market.

Management commented, “The HAJ’s strategic vision for 2025/26 into the medium-term is to significantly increase housing production, improve the affordability of housing units, upgrade infrastructure in marginalised communities and increase the issuance of certificates of title.”

They stated, “The HAJ will also pursue the implementation of strategies to enhance its operating efficiency by streamlining processes, utilising resources effectively, and implementing best practices to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of housing solutions.”

To improve access to home ownership for lower income groups, existing informal settlers and the regularisation of informal communities, the HAJ aims to hand over 208 land titles during the 2025/26 financial year.

Since the National Land Titling Programme commenced in 2012, the HAJ has delivered approximately 10,000 titles to over 50 communities island wide.

There are in excess of 7,700 titles at the Agency, which the Agency says it will issue “once all the established parameters are met.”

Photograph: HAJ website. Sandown Palms home in St. Catherine is currently being sold for $26 million

Caribbean Money Daily

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