UWI Mona Budget Forum tackles youth concerns over housing, jobs and the future
- ENGINEER BESS 100 FM
- 4 minutes ago
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The UWI Mona Budget forum recently brought together leading voices in fiscal policy and public finance with government and opposition members tackling societal challenges.
Held under the banner “A Fiscally Responsible Budget for Growth”, the UWI Mona Budget Forum, organised by the institution’s department of economics, became a mirror reflecting rising costs, housing hurdles, and a generation determined to build a future at home.
Confronted by a packed room of students, stakeholders and members of the public, the government representatives reviewed the 2025/26 fiscal plans, after which the discussions quickly evolved into something more profound — a national pulse check on the hopes and fears of Jamaica’s youth particularly on housing solutions.
“In addition to increasing the NHT loan ceilings, a key intervention is happening on the supply side,” said Senator Marlon Morgan. “The NHT is being directed to bring housing solutions to market priced at $14 million or less. This is critical because it ensures that young professionals, including graduates from UWI and UTECH can realistically pursue homeownership. With access to up to $12 million in NHT financing, many will be much closer to achieving that dream. We want our young people to remain hopeful — to see the glass as half full, not half empty.”
Offering a contrast in policy approach, Opposition MP Julian Robinson emphasised that while the budget meets technical benchmarks, his party would set different priorities.
“A balanced budget is important, yes — but priorities matter,” Robinson stated. “We would choose differently. We would target education, student debt, and affordable housing as the pillars of real mobility. Policies must reflect the lived realities of young Jamaicans entering adulthood with a limited financial cushion.” The issue of homeownership struck a personal chord for students in attendance, who were quick to voice their concerns.
“As a young person, the NHT is very concerning to me. I don’t know if homeownership is possible in my lifetime, but I’m just looking at the prices and opportunities. The wage market doesn’t match the housing market, and that’s worrying. But I was glad to see it being discussed—it gives me hope that the people in charge are considering it and will work toward a more responsible solution,” said Nathan Walker, 2024 Faculty of Social Sciences Valedictorian. The forum also addressed broader macroeconomic shifts, such as improvements in the debt-to-GDP ratio and increased fiscal space created through sustained discipline.
However, the central question remained: How do we translate economic indicators into real, felt improvements in people’s lives? Bringing historical context into the conversation, Dr Patrice Whitely, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and senior lecturer in Economics, offered a perspective: “The other day I was on a programme, and someone said, ‘Every minute you hear people talking about FINSAC!’ But if it weren’t for FINSAC, we wouldn’t be where we are today. That crisis forced the discipline that brought down our debt-to-GDP ratio. There was a time when 70 cents of every dollar went to debt—today, it’s only 20. That shift is why we now have room to invest. You have to know where we’ve been to understand why we’re doing what we’re doing today.”
Returning as more than a technical review of budget line items, the UWI Budget Forum is a dynamic platform for civic learning. It offers a rare opportunity for students to hear directly from decision-makers, question fiscal strategies, and explore how economic policy intersects with everyday life.
“This forum is not merely an academic tradition. It is part of the democratic process. At The UWI Mona, we are committed to equipping students and citizens alike with the knowledge to move from awareness to understanding — and from understanding to action,” said Whitely.
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