Patterson

PROJECT RELOCATION 2000 announced by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson yesterday will affect some 1,000 families in the first instance. Mr. Patterson told National Housing Trust (NHT) beneficiaries in Manley Meadows, east Kingston that it would be islandwide in scope and would benefit even non-NHT contributors.

"It is no point in having good housing for your contributors if they are surrounded by a sea of misery, Mr. Patterson said.

Although not giving details of the project, Mr. Patterson said it would mean collaboration between those who benefited and the communities where the relocation is to take place.

Meanwhile, he pleaded with beneficiaries to pay their mortgages promptly so that others could benefit from the facility.

"I am warning contributors that this is not a free house. You have to pay your mortgage so that other contributors who have been denied can get access to benefit under the NHT," he said. He was speaking against the background of what he said was significant improvements in the operations of the NHT.

Among these improvements, he said, was a reduction in interest rates on mortgages; extended payment schedules; and the consolidation of certain bands of qualifications to allow more persons to benefit.

Mr. Patterson was the guest speaker at a belated handing over ceremony at the east Kingston scheme, where a number of home owners symbolically received keys to the homes which they have occupied for over a year.