PM Highlights Transparent Selection Process of NSHP
By: , January 11, 2024
Photo: Yhomo Hutchison
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), cuts the ribbon to hand over a three-bedroom unit under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) to Angelyn Miller (third from right) of Johns Hall, St. James, and her children on Monday, January 8. Sharing in the moment are (from left) Chairperson of the Oversight Committee of the NSHP, Judith Robb; Tourism Minister and Member of Parliament for St. James East Central, Hon. Edmund Bartlett; and Councillor for the Springmount Division, Uvel Graham.The Full Story
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the transparent selection process for beneficiaries under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) ensures that assistance is provided to those who genuinely require it.
Mr. Holness, on Monday, January 8, handed over a new three-bedroom unit under the programme to recipient, Angelyn Miller, of Johns Hall, St. James.
Ms. Miller’s original home was destroyed by fire in November 2019, leaving her and her two children homeless.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr. Holness indicated that the NSHP, which is administered by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), has been largely successful in reaching Jamaicans in need.
“We (Government) target, for example, persons who have been burnt out or suffering from other forms of natural disasters, such as flooding and land slippage. We try to assist, restructure, and regularise them,” Mr. Holness explained.
“We also help persons who live in really substandard conditions. Usually, we try to target larger households, our mothers, or where we have multi-generational persons in the home,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the construction process involves competitive tenders, stringent standards, and quality control measures to guarantee cost-effectiveness and high standards.
Additionally, recipients are obligated to maintain the house and use it solely as their residence, with any structural changes requiring approval from the MEGJC and the Municipal Corporation.
“The Government will help the people and your role is to live good and have a positive and optimistic outlook on life. So, again I congratulate you,” Mr. Holness said.
For her part, Ms. Miller expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister; Member of Parliament for St. James East Central and Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, and the other supporting agencies, for the invaluable gift of a new home.
“I’m feeling good, nice and happy about this,” Ms. Miller said.
The NSHP was established in 2018 by the Prime Minister as the housing component of the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme.
It was developed to improve the housing condition of the country’s poor and disadvantaged population by providing quality, affordable and sustainable housing.
The Programme is being implemented through the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation, with the HOPE unit providing administrative and technical support.