Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has stated that the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) is a strategic intervention for households experiencing shelter poverty.

“This New Social Housing Programme is designed first and foremost as a strategic intervention for households that have what you could describe as shelter poverty, meaning that their housing condition is such that it couldn’t be defined as a safe, sustainable shelter”, he explained.

Prime Minister added that “we estimate, this is a rough estimate, that there are approximately 6000 households in Jamaica that would be in absolute shelter poverty, meaning that they have no proper roofing, their structure is probably rotten and about to collapse, and their shelter does not provide them protection from the elements. Some don’t have concrete flooring or any paved flooring, and indeed, we have even assisted persons who have been living in abandoned vehicles. The last time we handed over a social house, it was to someone who was living in a vehicle”.

Prime Minister Holness noted that while the NSHP has been assisting families with housing structures, it does not include land space.

“Now, 6000 households may not sound like a lot, but to build 6000 houses is a massive undertaking, and this programme is designed to build the houses, but the programme itself does not have land. So, the beneficiaries’ contribution to this housing programme, is that they must come up with the land. Some beneficiaries are living in terrible structures, but they may have access to land”, Prime Minister Holness stated.

He added that the Government intends to increase the pace of delivering houses next year so that in the next five years, there is no Jamaican family that is experiencing shelter poverty.

“The Government is being very systematic in how it deals with the issue of poverty in Jamaica, we have never taken our eyes off the poor. We intend to ensure that we have sufficient programmes to help, especially the absolute poor in our country…we want all Jamaicans to have shelter such that they can use that shelter to build their family and build wealth. So today, one more family is on track for that”, the Prime Minister ended.

Prime Minister Holness was engaging in NSHP handover ceremonies where five units were given to residents in Giblatore, Dignum, St. Catherine; New Road, Dressikie, St. Mary; Bonnett District, Benbow, St. Catherine; Berry Hill District, Riversdale, St. Catherine; and Stanberry Grove, Sligoville, St. Catherine yesterday.

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