The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) with guaranteed funding support from the National Housing Trust (NHT), is currently embarking on a comprehensive survey of squatter settlements in Jamaica.
This exercise is aimed at achieving a more accurate determination of squatting, so as to inform policy decisions and Government intervention to address related issues.
Data collection commenced on July 22, 2019, in the parish of Clarendon.
To date, the Team has administered surveys to 3,010 households in 40 communities in two (2) Constituencies (South Eastern Clarendon and South Western Clarendon). On completion of Clarendon, the team will then move on to the parish of Manchester.
The required Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expertise has been engaged to provide various outputs from this exercise. These will include a survey report, a variety of maps and the establishment of a geo-database on squatting. It will also prove extremely valuable in informing low-income housing interventions primarily undertaken by the Ministry and the NHT.
Senior Director, Housing Management at the MEGJC, Authrine Scarlett says this survey will be critical in addressing a number of issues related to squatting across the country.
“This is really a pivotal moment for the country as we seek to address this issue of squatting because not only will it take the guesswork out of the true numbers, the GIS technology which we are utilizing will allow us to represent the information in a spatial way which will enhance our ability to develop strategies to treat with these areas”, explained Mrs Scarlett.
According to Minister without Portfolio at the MEGJC, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr., the exercise is aimed at achieving a more accurate assessment of squatting in Jamaica, which is needed for government policy and planning.
“The squatter survey has been an agenda item for some time but we are now focused on bringing it to completion. We must, as the survey is essential in providing a comprehensive understanding of our existing circumstances. This is needed if we are to develop sensible policies and procedures to resolve the challenges faced by so many in non-regularized settlements across Jamaica”, said the Minister.
Senator Charles Jr. is also asking citizens to cooperate with the process, “I implore Jamaicans to support this process by cooperating with our researchers in the field and provide them with accurate and reliable information to ensure a successful initiative. The process has been progressing smoothly thus far and we are just encouraging citizens to continue to facilitate the process in order for us to get the survey done in a timely and efficient manner”.
The survey is being coordinated by the Squatter and Environment Management Unit of the Ministry which has the mandate for policy development and coordination of the management of squatting on public lands.
In keeping with Government’s mandate to create job opportunities for the youth, the Ministry is also collaborating with the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme and HEART Trust/NTA to engage data collectors.
-30-