Rapid Assessment of Squatting Report (NOTE: LARGE FILE)

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The general objective of the project is to assess the status of squatting island wide to inform
options for intervention.
Specific Objectives
1) To provide a historical and spatial overview of squatter settlements island wide
2) To generate a reliable estimate of the population of squatters island wide
3) To determine the level and state of infrastructure within squatter settlements as well as
relationship to surrounding vital infrastructure
4) To determine the environmental context within which squatter settlements exist, that is,
possible impact on a range of natural resources
5) To identify the common hazards that impact squatter settlements
6) To determine the land-use context in which the settlements exist
7) Recommend critical squatter settlements for relocation
Scope of Work
During a Jamaica House discussion between the Honourable Prime Minister and the Honourable
Minister with responsibility for Water and Housing in April 2008 on issues relating to the
housing stock as well as the state of squatting; the Prime Minister cited the need for sufficient
information to be made available about squatting. The Prime Minister commissioned the MWH
to prepare a Squatting Assessment Report in six (6) months.
The study focuses on squatting of government lands. It is a rapid assessment that captures the
general characteristics such as:
location
age of settlements
state of infrastructure
environmental concerns as well as
vulnerability to natural and man-made hazards.
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