From Termite-Infested House to Brand-New Home
By: , January 30, 2025
Photo: Michael Sloely
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second right), cuts the ribbon to officially hand over a two-bedroom unit under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) to Claudette Salmon (left) in Blackness, Westmoreland, on January 24. Sharing in the moment are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Arlene Williams (right) and Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson (in background at right).
Photo: Michael Sloley
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second left), hands New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) beneficiary Claudette Salmon (second right) the keys to her new home as well as a signed social contract. Occasion was the handover of Ms. Salmon’s new unit in Blackness, Westmoreland, on Friday (January 24). Sharing in the moment are (from left) Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Arlene Williams and Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson.The Full Story
Beneficiary of the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), Claudette Salmon, was ecstatic to walk into her new two-bedroom house.
The comfortable and sturdy structure is a far cry from her previous abode, which was in a poor state due to a termite infestation.
“We had termites that ate the wood. Each time I repaired the house, they kept coming back, because a tree [in the yard] had them,” she said.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, handed over the unit in Blackness, Westmoreland, on January 24. It was built at a cost of $9.5 million.
“I want to say thanks to Dr. Holness for giving me this house and I wish God’s blessing on him so he can continue to provide for the people of Jamaica. Thanks also to Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson,” Ms. Salmon told JIS News.
The Prime Minister encouraged Ms. Salmon to ensure that the home is properly maintained and to remain an upstanding citizen in her community.
Dr. Holness also implored Ms. Salmon to notify the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in the future should she have plans to modify the house.
“You should consult with the Ministry before building, because when we were building this unit, we did a soil test, we checked for all kinds of engineering issues. So, you must consult with us to make sure that whatever you’re building can fit what we put down here as a foundation,” he noted.
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