700 Tourism Workers to Benefit from Housing Assistance Programme

A total of 700 tourism workers, who were impacted by the passage of Hurricane Melissa, will benefit from an initial allocation of $100,000 each under the Housing Assistance & Recovery Programme (THARP).

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the announcement at the official launch of the $70 million housing assistance programme on Tuesday (December 16) at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

During the function, 13 persons were presented with vouchers valued at $100,000 each.

Minister Bartlett said that THARP, which is funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), is in recognition of the importance of the workers to the nation’s tourism. He noted that there cannot be a full recovery of the industry without the workers.

“Tourism does not only restore rooms for visitors. Tourism rebuilds roofs for workers,” he said.

Among the beneficiaries is Pastry Chef at Catalonia Montego Bay, Lanaysha Barrett, who was overjoyed at the assistance.

“I’m very grateful for this donation. Melissa was such a traumatic experience. Seeing other people losing their houses was devastating. I did not lose my house, but I have damage to windows, doors and furniture. Other people out there have more damage than me, but I am so grateful and I thank the Government and everyone else who donated,” she told JIS News.

Persons can access THARP through the TEF’s weblink https://relief.tef.gov.jm/ and click the Apply for THARP Now tab.

The programme has already received over 60 applications, which are being processed.

THARP offers three distinct support packages designed to address varying levels of damage: Package A covers roofing and light repairs to quickly weatherproof homes, while Package B addresses structural repair and foundation support for more serious damage. Package C provides comprehensive rebuild and interior repair assistance to restore full liveability.

Beyond the voucher system, TEF will construct five block-and-steel homes immediately, with plans for an additional ten permanent homes for workers who lost everything in the hurricane.

THARP is open to both permanent and contract tourism workers as well as self-employed individuals. Eligible workers include hotel staff, craft vendors, tour operators, red cap porters, contract carriage operators, and attraction workers.

The programme prioritises employees in the most severely impacted parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James, and Trelawny.

In addition to online applications, persons can also make submissions through participating hotels, small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, or through TEF technical staff conducting field verification.

THARP is expected to expand to assist up to 20,000 tourism workers across Jamaica.