‘It is really a good look’ - Waltham Park residents welcome housing development

Long associated with crime, underdevelopment and overcrowding, Waltham Park in St Andrew is now witnessing the start of a new chapter, as a major housing development takes shape.

It's a move that residents say is a welcome shift for the inner-city community.

"Mi watch it from it start to finish and it is really a good look for the place. You should see it a night time. When the lights turn on it look like uptown. It pretty, man," said one resident who lives near the new development.

The project, Howard Apartments, is being developed by the National Housing Trust (NHT) in partnership with Centauri Real Estate Company Limited, under the NHT's Guaranteed Purchase Programme. The development comprises of 248 studio units valued at $9.9 million.

At 300 square feet--slightly smaller than a standard double car garage--the space can hold a bed, a small living area, a kitchenette and a bathroom.

Located off Waltham Park Road in Kingston 11, the complex can be accessed from Waltham Park Road (east) and Spanish Town Road (west), running parallel to Hagley Park Road. It is situated roughly 5.5 kilometres from Half-Way Tree and eight kilometres from downtown Kingston.

But while some residents say the development has improved the look and feel of the community, others opined that it should also fuel long overdue infrastructure upgrades.

"We like the development, but you see the road to come in? It bad. Nobody no fi buy house and drive on dem bad road yah. From when dem shoulda fix it," said another resident, as she pointed to pothole-ridden roadways with water pooling along the surface. She added that the project could bring increased attention to the area.

"Maybe this will cause them to pay Waltham more attention and fix the roads, the drains, and start some more development so people here can benefit."

According to the resident, the development has already begun to uplift the community's image.

"Just to see so much people coming to look at the houses show that Waltham can be something. It can change how people see it as a ghetto and maybe bring higher-profile people into the area."

However, some residents fear the development may not directly benefit families living in Waltham Park. One woman, who said she has lived in the community for more than 40 years, told THE STAR that her daughter initially showed interest but later changed her mind.

"She a teacher and live with her boyfriend now. She did say she would try get on the list, but when she hear it was a studio [apartment], she say it too small. She can't raise no family in that, so I don't even ask her about it again, but I still like how it look," the woman said.

Similar concerns were shared by a man who lives close to the development. While admiring the appearance of the complex, he questioned who the units are really designed for.

"As far as me see it, people want house every day, but that type of house is for somebody single, university students, or somebody just move from country and a start life," he said. "It too small for family. Listen, if you buy it, just try no put on weight, because you can't even turn in there."

Still, others see opportunity. One woman who spoke to THE STAR said her son is interested, though he views it as a short-term option.

"Him like it, and me like it too, but the size nah work fi add woman and pickney," she said. "But if him can buy it and use it as Airbnb or rent it out, that could work. I would do that."