Jamaica shelter sector assessment

THOSE ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS REPORT, WHICH DESCRIBES AN A.I.D.-SPONSORED STUDY OF SHELTER PROBLEMS IN JAMAICA. ABOUT 70% OF THE POPULATION LACKS AN INCOME NECESSARY FOR MINIMAL STANDARDS OF LIVING. MORE THAN 40% OF THE POPULATION -- 500,000 PEOPLE -- LIVE IN THE KINGSTON METROPOLITAN AREA. THE SEWER SYSTEM SERVES LESS THAN HALF OF THE RESIDENTS. MOST OF THE POOR LIVE IN SQUATTERS" SHACKS THAT LACK SANITARY AND KITCHEN FACILITIES. THE JAMAICAN ECONOMY IS POOR. THE ISLAND IMPORTS A LARGE PROPORTION OF ITS CONSUMER GOODS AT INFLATED PRICES, AND JAMAICA"S CHIEF EXPORTS HAVE NOT KEPT PACE. IN 1976 REAL GROWTH DECLINED, THE DEFICIT IN FOREIGN RESERVES INCREASED, AND UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASED. IN RURAL AREAS, MUCH OF THE FERTILE LAND IS OWNED BY LARGE ESTATES. GOVERNMENT HOUSING PROJECTS ARE CONSTRUCTING HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE, BUT NOT ON A LARGE ENOUGH SCALE. THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO ATTEMPTING TO DEVELOP THE PRODUCTION OF LOCALLY PRODUCED BUILDING MATERIALS BECAUSE IMPORTED MATERIALS ARE VERY COSTLY. THE RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE STUDY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1) THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE SQUATTERS WITH LAND-LEASE TENURE AND A SOURCE OF CREDIT FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS. (2) IN RURAL AREAS, THE POOR WHO OWN THEIR OWN LAND SHOULD BE PROVIDED A SOURCE OF CREDIT FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS. (3) COOPERATIVES AND CREDIT UNIONS SHOULD BE GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE COLLECTION OF LOAN REPAYMENTS. (4) THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE USE OF INDIGENOUS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AS ALTERNATIVES TO IMPORTED MATERIALS. (5) EXISTING TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS SHOULD BE EXPANDED. (6) AN EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO IMPROVE THE COORDINATION AMONG VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH HOUSING.