JAMAICA DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION LIMITED
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR
October 31, 2024

Opening Address
Resilient Housing Strategies for Jamaica’s National Development

It is my distinct pleasure to share my views on a topic that is vital to our nation’s future: resilient housing strategies. Housing is more than just shelter; like food and clothing, shelter is considered among man’s basic needs. As climate change impacts intensify, safe, strong or resilient housing is essential not only to protect individual households, but also to contribute to the broader socio-economic stability of our nation.

Housing resilience is known in the urban development field as “…the measurable ability of homes to withstand and recover from shocks and stresses — natural disasters, economic challenges, and other adversities”. As Jamaicans, we know all too well the unpredictable power of nature—our primary risks are linked to natural hazards including hurricanes, flooding, drought, landslides and storm surges. Jamaica is the third most exposed country in the world to multiple natural hazards, with over 96 per cent of the country’s GDP and population at risk from two or more hazards. Furthermore, it is estimated that 60 per cent of our population lives within the coastal zone, or 5 km from the coastline. This exacerbates the high exposure to storm surge and coastal erosion, among other factors. With the rise in frequency and intensity of climate-related hazards, we therefore face an urgent need to bolster our housing infrastructure to withstand more intense storms, extremes of rainfall, heatwaves and so on.

The Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) assesses the national housing stock via the Housing Quality Index (HQI) which is based on six key indicators of housing conditions. These indicators include but are not limited to, material of outer walls (durability), access to electricity, main source of drinking water, and number of persons per habitable room. The Housing Quality Index currently stands at 78 per cent, which is relatively good. It, however, belies the fact that there are pockets of substandard housing due to aged units and infrastructure, limited or poor maintenance, poor construction including non-adherence to building codes, makeshift units, and siting in vulnerable locations. We also have a large number of unplanned communities some of which are known to be affected by low housing quality. Many of these are among the over 700 communities classified as vulnerable by the ODPEM. In addition, the Housing Policy identifies the existence of a “severe housing shortage”, indicating the need for replacement of obsolete stock and a demand-supply gap that requires the production of at least 15 000 units annually.

Jamaica’s Vulnerability to Natural Hazards

Recent projections from the State of the Jamaican Climate report in 2022, underscore the severity of our climate risks. The climate models predict that Jamaica could be impacted by up to an 80 per cent increase in category 4 and 5 hurricanes—a staggering statistic that brings urgency to our discussion. The models predict that the country will experience:
• hotter days with an average increase in temperatures between 0.65℃ and 0.85℃
• rising sea levels – an increase of between 0.43m and 0.67m
• intense rainfall/storms – an increase of 2 per cent to 11 per cent with higher wind speeds
• drier days – a projection of up to 4 per cent drier islandwide.

These climate impacts are likely to have far-reaching implications for the various sectors. For housing, it means: a greater need to respond to flooding; to mitigate urban heat; increased energy demands; and impacted water quality and quantity; disrupted water supplies.
The country is also prone to seismic hazard, being crossed by five major fault lines, including the Plantain Garden Fault Zone, which triggered the 2010 Haitian earthquake. In fact, over 400 earthquakes are detected annually. This naturally increases hazard risk for the housing sector, especially risk to those that are not built to code or which are located in environmentally sensitive or vulnerable areas. In this regard, the enforcement of the building code and other environmental regulations and standards is paramount to ensuring improved resilience of our housing infrastructure.

The recent extreme weather event, Hurricane Beryl, demonstrated the high hazard risk of the housing stock. Although the direct impact from the storm was localized, the southern parishes of St Elizabeth and Clarendon were the hardest hit. Hurricane Beryl caused significant damage to the housing sector, destroying nearly 800 houses, severely damaging over 4 000 others, with more than 8 000 homes recording minor damage. The sector sustained an estimated $1.4 billion in damage, and up to last week, there were still a number of families in Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management shelters. This fact demonstrates a level of disruption and dislocation to families occasioned by the realisation of hazard risk where housing was not resilient.

Resilience Agenda in Vision 2030

Note that the impact to the sector was not only borne by those directly affected but by all of us; the GOJ paid out over $1 billion to assist families with housing repairs.
Fortuitously, Jamaica has mainstreamed climate resilience in our national development plan—Vision 2030 Jamaica. Through this strategy, we are strengthening our ability to cope with natural and man-made hazards and building our capacity to respond effectively. Accordingly, the country has a multi-layered disaster risk financing strategy inclusive of the National Disaster Fund, catastrophe insurance, contingent credit facilities and Catastrophe Bond.

Housing Resilience Recommendations

We know adequate housing considers location, availability, security of tenure and affordability. However, adequacy is only one part of the equation; resilience must be the next focus. Here are three approaches on how we can move forward, and I dare say that you in this sector have a large role to play:

1. Climate and Seismic-Resilient Designs:

Resilience must go beyond storm survival to ensure energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. By incorporating green building practices, we reduce reliance on external resources during emergencies and lower energy costs. Imagine a future where solar-powered homes, natural ventilation, and rainwater harvesting are the standard for all Jamaican households. Green buildings conserve energy, manage waste, and optimize water usage—all critical for an island nation vulnerable to extreme weather.
The JSLC (2021) reports that 73 per cent of our housing is built with concrete blocks and steel, a positive indicator of durability and structural soundness. But we can add to durability by scaling up green building practices, we need accessible green certifications and incentives. Envision developments with permeable surfaces to reduce flooding and green roofs or walls that naturally cool homes, reducing reliance on air conditioning. These eco-smart designs create self-sufficiency and enhance comfort.
Building seismic-resilient housing must take consideration of the use of appropriate construction materials, technology, techniques and standards. This will have to be supported by rigorous monitoring of the development process and enforcement of standards and regulations.

2. Urban Planning and Zoning:

Land use planning, risk mapping, and “No Build” zones are essential for safety. Unfortunately, some of Jamaica’s most vulnerable citizens live in informal settlements along gully banks, hillsides, and flood-prone areas. In these high-risk areas, disaster risk is amplified by poor construction quality and a lack of access to formal services. This is a prime opportunity to champion the call for the need to finally define “Specially vulnerable areas” as mentioned in the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2015. Additionally, the use of hot spot analysis tools such as the Jamaica Systemic Risk Assessment Tool (J-SRAT) is an important data-driven addition to the government’s assessment of climate risks, particularly with respect to critical infrastructure such as water, transport and energy. These tools can be used by housing developers to improve the resilience in the developments in which you invest.

3. Economic and Social Safety Nets:

Resilient housing is not only about strong buildings but also about supporting families financially. In this regard, we could explore programmes to widen access to subsidies, grants, and low-interest loans for the purchase of resilient housing and/or to effect upgrades to existing units to improve resilience. Access to home insurance is another critical part of resilience as this enables faster recovery and reduces financial burden after emergencies. The JSLC (2021) reports that only 6.3 per cent of Jamaicans have home insurance, leaving the majority financially vulnerable after disasters. By supporting programmes that make insurance more affordable and accessible, we can shield more households from economic devastation. Widespread insurance coverage not only protects individuals but also strengthens national resilience by reducing the strain on public funds post-disaster.

Conclusion

In conclusion, achieving resilient housing in Jamaica requires a holistic approach. By embracing green buildings, we create homes that are sustainable and resource-efficient. By incorporating seismic and climate-responsive designs, we ensure that homes harmonize with our environment, reducing strain during extreme events. Strengthening our urban zoning policies and enforcing building codes and standards enable us to build communities that are secure and adaptable in the face of future challenges.
Resilient housing is not just about construction; it is about empowerment, community strength, and economic stability. The private sector has a significant role to play in this, by, among other things, providing resilient homes on the market at affordable prices. Together, we can build a Jamaica that not only withstands the forces and vagaries of nature but thrives in the face of them.
Thank you.