I am writing as a public servant who is gravely disappointed with the prices for the town houses and apartments constructed by the Jamaica Civil Service Association and National Housing Trust at Twickenham, St Catherine.

Even though a greater number of the housing units are set aside for public servants, the average employee in the public service cannot afford these units. The price ranges from $5.65 million-$7.18 million which comes as a shock to us, some of whom are not even working a million dollars annually.

I have been saving before the construction of these units and as a line staff in the public sector for a number of years, the down payment is a major challenge for me.

It makes me wonder how the decisions were made regarding the prices? Do they really realise how much most public servants take home monthly or is someone turning a blind eye to reality? As a single person, how many years would I have to be working and saving just to get the down payment with the salary I earn, which is not even a million dollars annually?

Low-income earners

Why do they use words like 'inflation' and 'escalation' to justify the cost of these houses when in fact they should be constructing 'affordable' housing especially for the low-income earners who have been contributing towards the country's development?

I am, etc.,

LISA

Christian Gardens

Portmore, St Catherine