Voices Magazine-Vol3-Issue-6-WEB

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | September - December 2020 18 Professor Carol Archer and Mrs. Anetheo Jackson, Faculty of the Built Environment, undertook a research project – fully funded by the RFD - which explored factors influencing Jamaican householders’ housing choices. The research was a departure from the issues of shortage and affordability that are typically the areas of research focus on housing in Jamaica. The research highlighted that there is a need to further explore affordability as a determinant of housing choice, and particularly to understand why some housing solutions deemed ‘affordable’ may be undesirable to householders. In addition, the research underscored that focus on affordability rather than adequacy will create uncertainty with government’s achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 11 for “safe, inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities and cities,” or Jamaica’s Vision 2030 Goal for “all Jamaican households to have access to affordable, appropriate and legal housing options in liveable, vibrant, inclusive and aesthetically pleasing communities.” The research also confirmed that where there are no suitable and adequate alternative housing options which satisfy the householders’ priorities, householders’ own solutions will, and have emerged; some of which have been socially sub-optimal. “The Impact of COVID-19 on Household Food Security in the Caribbean” Led by Professor Fitzroy Henry, Professor of Public Health Nutrition in the College of Health Sciences, and co-funded by the University’s Research Development Fund (RDF), this study assessed the impact of COVID-19 on food and nutrition security at the household level in the Caribbean. The major aspects of food Security were studied: change in food access, availability, and utilization. “Towards a Liveable Minimum Wage in Jamaica” Professor Fitzroy Henry also led a research project – fully funded by the RDF – to assess the food security conditions of low-income populations in Jamaica and recommend a liveable minimum wage. This study avoided the practice in many countries of purposefully manipulating the consumer price index which often determines the minimum wage. Unlike those economics-based approaches to establish minimum wage, this study uniquely utilized a biological benchmark of consuming 2400 Kcals as a food intake marker. The emphasis was also on consuming healthy foods by the low-income groups to avoid the consequences of obesity and chronic diseases. The analyses therefore compared foods, not merely by selecting high and low ranked commodities, but by the proportions of those foods, in food groups, that will be required to meet a nutritionally balanced diet of 2400 Kcals. The main finding of this study was that the minimum wage worker earner is spending 48% of income in obtaining health foods. This is unacceptably high. To meet a lower threshold of 40%, an increase in the minimum wage from J$7,000 to J$8,350 per week will be required. While 40% is not ideal, it will be a welcome cushion for the ravages of COVID and the effects of other regular crises such as drought and floods. A proposal for a 19.28% increase in the Minimum wage be made to the National MinimumWage Advisory Commission. It is hoped that the recommendation will be submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to be forwarded to Cabinet and on to Parliament. Research Projects Completed Through Research Development Fund (RDF) Funding ‘Household Preferences and Priorities and Factors Influencing Housing Choice in Jamaica’ Mrs. Anetheo Jackson, Head, School of Building and Land Management, Faculty of The Built Environment Professor Carol Archer Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy, Faculty of The Built Environment Professor Fitzroy Henry Professor of Public Health Nutrition, College of Health Sciences