A Home at Last

Norma Williams was a picture of joy and relief as she accepted the keys to her new two-bedroom house in Greenvale, Manchester, from Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Friday (March 7).

The unit was provided under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP).

Ms. Williams is grateful for her new home, which she will share with her daughter Shelly-Ann Morris.

She has already planted a flower garden as well as banana, pepper, susumber and papaya.

The sturdy structure, built to withstand extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, is a far cry from the dilapidated one-room dwelling in which she lived.

“The convenience of the kitchen was not good. When it rains, I can’t cook that day; inside was pure water. But I had my dream, so Mr. Prime Minister, thanks for what you have done for me and my MP [Member of Parliament], Councillor and all the persons who made it possible; thank you so much,” the joyful homeowner said.

MP for Manchester North Western Mikael Phillips, said Ms. Williams is deserving of her new home, noting that her living conditions were not good.

“Today is a happy day for her, getting her own key… and I know she is grateful. She has already put up her fencing to save her fruits. This is the second such house constructed in Greenvale, and we are grateful,” Mr. Phillips said.

Ms. Williams is one of three NSHP beneficiaries from Manchester who were presented with keys to new housing units on Friday.

The others are Evadne Fearon from Mile Gully, and Pratville resident, Ronald Williams.

Ms. Fearon was emotional as she thanked the Prime Minister, MP Phillips and all who made the new two-bedroom house a reality for her and her son.

“May God bless you all,” she said.

But it was single father of two teenaged children, Ronald Williams, whose heartfelt response resonated with everyone.

He said his home was not the result of political affiliation or friendship, noting that it was a social worker who got the ball rolling after visiting him and seeing his genuine need.

“This is really a joy for me. I am glad for this and I thank Jamaica because this is all done by Jamaica. Prime Minister, you are giving our family a chance to enhance our standard of living. We thank you; this is a worthy cause. So, to see where I am coming from, and where I have reached; To God be the glory, great things He has done,” Mr. Williams expressed.

Prime Minister Holness reminded the beneficiaries to adhere to the terms of the social contract under the NSHP.

The house must be owner-occupied and should not be rented or sold.

The owner should become a legal customer of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and the National Water Commission (NWC).

“You should maintain in the house in the exact state of repair or better than we gave it to you. The house must be used as your residence, where you live; don’t rent it out to make money from it,” he said.

“You should have legal water and if you decide to add to the building, before doing any modification, get in touch with the Social Housing Programme to ensure that the structure can withstand it,” Dr. Holness further advised, adding that the beneficiaries are required to be upstanding citizens of the community.

Chair of the oversight committee of the NSHP, Judith Robb Walters, explained that to become eligible for housing assistance, applicants must go through a social worker and their MP, who then make the recommendation for their selection.

“Each of the 63 MPs is entitled to five houses every financial year but the list usually has more because the need is great. Once we get the list, we do our investigation of all the names on the list.

The process might seem long but it’s taxpayers’ money so we must ensure that it can stand up to probity,” she pointed out.

Mrs. Robb Walters said that a social enquiry process is next, followed by examination of the land, noting that the committee looks at all factors before the procurement process is engaged.

Contractors are also screened before they are selected and the houses are built.

All houses are constructed on land provided by the beneficiaries, which is a core requirement under the programme.

Persons must own the land, have long-term lease or granted permission, supported by legitimate claims such as a deed of gift.