Prospective homeowners at the Hellshire View housing development in Portmore, St Catherine, could receive their units within eight months if a proposed financing arrangement involving the Housing Agency of Jamaica, HAJ, is approved.
Rite Solutions Developers Limited provided the update in a statement on Wednesday, following concerns from a group representative about persistent delays at the project.
Shaloy Smikle reports.
Concerns over the Hellshire View housing development were again highlighted in July following a protest by the prospective homeowners.
The frustrated group said they already paid deposits for homes in the development but are still waiting for their units to be completed.
The development is located on Shooters Hill on the Hellshire Main Road. It is a partnership between the Housing Agency of Jamaica, HAJ, and Rite Solutions Developers Limited.
Both HAJ and Rite Solutions noted that the issue remains one of their highest priorities.
But not much had been done since.
Last Tuesday, August 25, a group representative again wrote to the agencies, decrying four years of construction delays and poor communication to purchasers.
In Wednesday’s response, Rite Solutions says discussions between the partners remain ongoing, while work, albeit at a slow pace, continues on site.
A second letter was attached dated July 10 to the purchasers.
In that letter, it says as communicated to purchasers, additional works were identified after the site was opened.
These include more excavation, the need for extensive quantities of retaining walls, an increase in rock content and a higher density of the rock than previously advised.
The additional work created the need for more financing.
Rite Solutions says it engaged a financial broker, but lenders require the land titles as collateral.
The developer says it has since approached HAJ and has proposed to amend their agreement to allow the land to be used as security.
It says the proposal is under consideration, with the company hopeful of a positive outcome.
Rite Solutions says it believes once the agreement is approved, the completion and hand over of the units can be achieved within a period of six to eight months.
