Beneficiaries of Indigent Housing Programme Happy for New Houses

Overwhelmed with emotion, tears of joy flowed down the faces of Ellenor Whyte and Carmel Maxwell when they were handed the keys to their new two-bedroom homes on December 16, life changing gifts just in time for Christmas.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, presented the keys to the furnished houses at a handover ceremony at Beresford Street, Admiral Town, in St. Andrew South, under the Government’s Indigent Housing Programme.

Both women were very appreciative and expressed heartfelt gratitude for their new homes.

“I thank you all so much and I wish for you and me a Merry Christmas,” Ms. Whyte said.

Ms. Maxwell also thanked all stakeholders who played a part in ensuring that she received a new home.

The new beneficiaries, their families and community members erupted into cheers and heartfelt celebration as Ms. Whyte and Ms. Maxwell stepped into their new homes.

Mr. McKenzie said the Government remains resolute in providing housing solutions to people in need. “I am proud to be part of a Government that continues to provide for the less fortunate,” he said.

“I am glad that we were able to complete these units and afford both individuals the privilege of spending Christmas in a new home. We not only built these units, but we have gone a step further by furnishing the units, so they have an opportunity of not just a roof over their heads, but we have provided housing solutions in terms of making them comfortable,” he said.

The Minister informed that just under $19 million was spent to construct the units.

“We care for the poor and we will stop at no expense to provide suitable, quality and good houses for these people,” he said.

Mr. McKenzie urged the beneficiaries to take care of the units, noting that the Ministry has not received any reports of abuse of units handed over under the programme.

“I am pretty confident that the individuals will take pride in the units, because it is important that it is not just seen as a house, but it is a home, a place of comfort, somewhere you can sit back and relax and give God thanks,” he said.

The Minister further informed that five units have been assigned to the constituency through the efforts of elected representatives, including the Member of Parliament.

Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament for the area, Mark Golding, said the homes will transform the lives of the beneficiaries.

“It is a joyous day to see Ellenor and Carmel getting access to these homes. These homes have been well constructed by our local contractor…he knows the lay of the land here, he does excellent work here, always on time and within budget,” Mr. Golding said.

He recalled the first time he met Ellenor and committed to improving her living condition.

“Ellenor, I remember the first time I met you. I was passing through Beresford Street and I came to see you…I saw the living conditions that you were in at the time and I said we have to do something about this and it took a few years, but here we are. You will be given access to the house today officially and it is a nice Christmas present for you and Carmel,” he said.

He thanked the Ministry for the undertaking and the official handover of the units to the beneficiaries.

“We would love to be able to do this kind of thing for many more, because the need is there, we know that, but we can only do what is available through the channels of Government, whether it is through the HOPE programme or in this case through the local government programme,” he said.

Mayor of Kingston, Andrew Swaby, informed that the projects were undertaken on time and lauded the local contractor for executing the project.

“This is a lifetime investment,” he told the recipients.

The project was funded by the Ministry and implemented by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

Secretary of the Board of Supervision, Treka Lewis, said the houses are not just structures, but they are a foundation for Ellenor and Carmel to build new memories and create a brighter future.

The Indigent Housing Programme was designed to address challenges experienced by the poor and most vulnerable citizens in acquiring homes.

Potential beneficiaries must demonstrate ownership of the property on which the house is to be built or provide documentation that they are lawfully entitled to tenure on such property.