The Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited, formerly the National Housing Development Corporation will be breaking ground for two housing projects in Portmore: a 260 two-bedroom housing project at Portmore Villa; and 60 two-bedroom units in the vicinity of the '100-man' police station. Construction of the Portmore units should commence by the middle of 2008 and will be placed on the market at year end and should cost between J$7 million and J$8 million.

The project at Stadium Gardens in Kingston will be 1,000 square feet in size and priced at a maximum $8 million. These units will be listed for sale in May, but are scheduled for delivery to buyers at year end. 49 starter units are also slated to be constructed in Luana in St Elizabeth and will be sold for less than J$2.3 million.

Administrative manager for WIHCON, Judith Bruce, confirmed to the Jamaica Gleaner that the company is planning a 1,000-home development on the outskirts of the south-coast town of Old Harbour, one of two the company intends to roll out in 2009 - the other being planned for Mona in St Andrew - but did not disclose details on the style, design or cost of either, due to pending approvals from government agencies.

Assuming the proposals are approved, it would become one of the largest developments to be undertaken in this decade on the south of the island, eclipsing the New Era project, Caribbean Estates.