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 Composition
Has a Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile
Current Chairperson is not sitting more than two (2) consecutive terms
Current Chairperson chairs no more than two (2) other public bodies
Has a Board with a minimum of 30% male members
Has a Board with a minimum of 30% female members
Current Board retains at least 3 members or one-third of the previous Board

Governance Structure
Has a Board Charter
Has a Non-Executive Chair
Has a trained Corporate Secretary
Hosts Board training
Conducts Annual Board Evaluations
Ensures Board processes are executed
Ensures Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary
Has an Information and Disclosure Policy

Audit and Internal Control
Has an internal auditor
Has an Audit Committee with clear terms of reference
Has an Audit Committee with three (3) or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance
Has an Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair
Has an Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair
Has a Procurement Committee that rotates members every three (3) years
Has an independent Chair of the Procurement Committee (not chaired by the Finance Director)
Has Board procedures regarding procurement oversight
Has a trained Procurement Committee
Has an Annual Procurement Plan

Reporting and Compliance
Submits Annual Report to the Responsible Minister by July 31^st of the present year
Has an Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan) by October 31^st of the present year
Ensures Annual Report is tabled in Parliament no later than July 31^st
Ensures Responsible Minister issues Statement of Corporate Expectation to the Board
Ensures the Chair and Responsible Minister meet at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues

Ethics and Behaviour
Has a Corporate Social Responsibility Framework including a Donations Policy
Has a Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions
Ensures staff is trained in the Code of Ethics
Has a Whistle Blowing Policy
Has an Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators

Findings

Board Composition

Has a Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile

Current Chairperson is not sitting more than two (2) consecutive terms

Current Chairperson chairs no more than two (2) other public bodies

Has a Board with a minimum of 30% male members

Has a Board with a minimum of 30% female members

Current Board retains at least 3 members or one-third of the previous Board

Governance Structure

Has a Board Charter

Has a Non-Executive Chair

Has a trained Corporate Secretary

Hosts Board training

Conducts Annual Board Evaluations

Ensures Board processes are executed

Ensures Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary

Has an Information and Disclosure Policy

Audit and Internal Control

Has an internal auditor

Has an Audit Committee with clear terms of reference

Has an Audit Committee with three (3) or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance

Has an Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair

Has an Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair

Has a Procurement Committee that rotates members every three (3) years

Has an independent Chair of the Procurement Committee (not chaired by the Finance Director)

Has Board procedures regarding procurement oversight

Has a trained Procurement Committee

Has an Annual Procurement Plan

Reporting and Compliance

Submits Annual Report to the Responsible Minister by July 31^st of the present year

Has an Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan) by October 31^st of the present year

Ensures Annual Report is tabled in Parliament no later than July 31^st

Ensures Responsible Minister issues Statement of Corporate Expectation to the Board

Ensures the Chair and Responsible Minister meet at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues

Ethics and Behaviour

Has a Corporate Social Responsibility Framework including a Donations Policy

Has a Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions

Ensures staff is trained in the Code of Ethics

Has a Whistle Blowing Policy

Has an Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators	Findings
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Indicators

Findings

here for default styles

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