Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited

The Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited (HAJ) was incorporated on a change of name from the National Housing Development Corporation Limited (NHDC) in September 2008. The Housing Agency of Jamaica Ltd is a land and housing development company that provides shelter solutions for Jamaicans islandwide. Wholly owned by the Government of Jamaica, HAJ falls under the portfolio of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), and its core services include providing shelter solutions on the open market and upgrading and regularising informal settlements.

The HAJ’s strategic vision for 2025/26 into the medium-term is to significantly increase housing
production, improve the affordability of housing units, upgrade infrastructure in marginalised communities and increase the issuance of certificates of title.

In line with its mandate to provide affordable housing solutions to the low and middle-income earners, HAJ plans to commence construction of 795 housing units and deliver 563 units to the market during the 2025/26 financial year.

To improve access to home ownership for lower income groups, existing informal settlers and
the regularisation of informal communities, the HAJ aims to hand over 208 land titles during the
2025/26 financial year.

HAJ projects a net profit of $725.51 million. To achieve its target, the HAJ staff and Board must uphold strong corporate governance. Let’s take a look at their progress!

Indicators	Findings
Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile
Chairperson is not sitting more than two consecutive terms
Chairperson that chairs no more than two other public boards
Board with a minimum of 30% male members
Board with a minimum of 30% female members
Current board retained at least 3 members or a third of previous board
Board Charter (which includes conflict of interest provisions)
Non-Executive Independent Chair
Trained Corporate Secretary
Annual board training (in procurement, risk management, etc.)
Annual board evaluation
Board processes are executed (AGM, Annual Calenders, Meeting Frequency, Filings at Companies Office, etc.)
Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary
Information & Disclosure policy
Internal auditor that reports to board through Audit Committee
Audit Committee with Terms of Reference
Audit Committee with three or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance
Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair
Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair
Procurement Committee that rotates members every three years
Independent Chair of Procurement Committee (not chaired by Finance Director)
Board procedures in place regarding procurement oversight
Trained Procurement Committee
Annual Procurement Plan
Annual Report to the Responsible Minister submitted within 4 months of the end of the entity's financial year
Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan in place by Nov 30 (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan)
Annual Report tabled in Parliament within six (6) months of the entity's financial year
Minister issued Statement of Corporate Expectation to board
Chair and Responsible Minister met at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues
Corporate Social Responsibility Framework (including Donations Policy)
Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions
Staff that are trained in Code of Ethics
Whistle Blowing Policy
Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators

Findings

Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile

Chairperson is not sitting more than two consecutive terms

Chairperson that chairs no more than two other public boards

Board with a minimum of 30% male members

Board with a minimum of 30% female members

Current board retained at least 3 members or a third of previous board

Board Charter (which includes conflict of interest provisions)

Non-Executive Independent Chair

Trained Corporate Secretary

Annual board training (in procurement, risk management, etc.)

Annual board evaluation

Board processes are executed (AGM, Annual Calenders, Meeting Frequency, Filings at Companies Office, etc.)

Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary

Information & Disclosure policy

Internal auditor that reports to board through Audit Committee

Audit Committee with Terms of Reference

Audit Committee with three or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance

Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair

Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair

Procurement Committee that rotates members every three years

Independent Chair of Procurement Committee (not chaired by Finance Director)

Board procedures in place regarding procurement oversight

Trained Procurement Committee

Annual Procurement Plan

Annual Report to the Responsible Minister submitted within 4 months of the end of the entity's financial year

Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan in place by Nov 30 (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan)

Annual Report tabled in Parliament within six (6) months of the entity's financial year

Minister issued Statement of Corporate Expectation to board

Chair and Responsible Minister met at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues

Corporate Social Responsibility Framework (including Donations Policy)

Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions

Staff that are trained in Code of Ethics

Whistle Blowing Policy

Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators	Findings
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Indicators

Findings

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Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited

Mrs Doreen Prendergast

Norman Brown

Dr. The Most Hon. Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP

Mrs Arlene Williams, CD, JP

Overview

Key Compliance Results