EMPLOYEES in the tourism industry are this year to benefit from the construction of some 100 two-bedroom units in Belle Air III, St Ann, under the Jamaica Economical Housing Project.

Government has allocated just over $1 billion for the project in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament.

The project, which is being funded by the China EXIM Bank, aims to upgrade infrastructure in rural communities in St Ann and St Elizabeth.

It also aims to provide affordable housing in St Elizabeth, and alleviate the deficit of housing solutions in St Ann, by providing a mixture of affordable housing, primarily for employees in the tourism sector.

Achievements up to January 2015 include the completion of main sewerage infrastructure for all sub-projects in St Ann; completion of 1,320 houses and service lots in Belle Air I and II and Mt Edgecombe IV; and the completion of 36 serviced lots and 70 studio units at Luana Gardens, St. Elizabeth.

For the 2015/16 period, it is anticipated that work will continue on infrastructure works at Luana Gardens; completion of 100 two- bedroom units in Belle Air III; and completion of upgrading of infrastructure at Belle Air III and Mt. Edgecombe.

The project is slated to end in August 2015.