PM Announces Additional $9.65 Billion for ROOFS Programme

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced the allocation of an additional $9.65 billion to complete payments to qualified beneficiaries under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme.

ROOFS is one of several components under the Government’s Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP) – the coordinated national response to support families whose homes were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28.

Speaking during a Special Press Briefing at Jamaica House on Tuesday (October 27), Dr. Holness recommitted to redoubling efforts to assist those families that have not yet fully recovered, while noting that their recovery remains an urgent priority.

He noted that more than 118,000 households were assessed as needing assistance under the ROOFS programme.

“Roughly half have received assistance, so far, through the expenditure of approximately $12 billion,” the Prime Minister stated.

He indicated that the Government’s objective is to reach 90 per cent of the assessed households with the assistance by the end of December, and the remaining 10 per cent by January 2027, when the Government hopes to bring the Hurricane Melissa recovery phase to an end.

Dr. Holness noted that payments “will take some time because of the bureaucratic requirements” and verifications required but implored the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to get the benefits to the people who have completed the necessary processes.