Kingston, St Andrew, 30 July 2026
Keys to 248 studio apartments at The Howard Apartments in St Andrew have been handed over to new homeowners, with Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness giving the keynote address at the ceremony.
The development sits on Howard Avenue, off Waltham Park Road, and was delivered through the National Housing Trust’s (NHT) Guaranteed Purchase Programme. It was built by Centauri Real Estate Company Limited.
What Has Been Built
The scheme is made up of two four-storey buildings. Residents have a clubhouse, an exercise area and a children’s play area, while site infrastructure includes paved roads, storm drains, potable water distribution and a centralised sewage treatment system.
Five of the units have been set aside under the NHT’s social housing programme. Ian Smikle was the first of the 248 beneficiaries to receive his keys.
Holness on Neighbourly Living
The Prime Minister congratulated the new owners and urged them to look after their property. He noted that apartment living means close quarters, with neighbours separated by only a wall, and said good behaviour is what makes good neighbours.
He also encouraged private developers to invest in affordable housing and restated the Government’s commitment to widening access to safe, affordable homes for people in different circumstances.
Owners React
For many buyers it was a first home. Beneficiary Tyra Green said she had always wanted to own a home, while Michelle Bennett-Henry described the day as one of hope, security, opportunity and dreams fulfilled. Paul McGlashin was plainly delighted with his new status as a homeowner.
What It Means for Buyers
The Howard Apartments illustrate one model for the affordable end of the Kingston market: compact studio units in multi-storey blocks, built by private developers with the NHT guaranteeing purchase. That arrangement reduces the risk for developers and helps get units to contributors who might otherwise struggle to buy in the Corporate Area.
The NHT’s First Home Programme also allows eligible owners to sell units back to the Trust, so they can be offered again to other first-time buyers. For contributors watching for opportunities, that means affordable stock may come back to the market over time.
For anyone considering a studio unit, the Prime Minister’s point about shared living is worth taking seriously. Maintenance fees, rules on noise and use of common areas, and the strength of the strata corporation all matter as much as the price.
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