Portland fire victims get new homes

Two families in Portland Western, whose lives were severely disrupted by fire, are now proud homeowners under the Government's New Social Housing Programme (NSHP).

Leroy Grant of Francis Avenue in Buff Bay and Calbert Jones of Panton district in Mount Pleasant were presented with the keys to brand new three-bedroom houses by Prime Minister Andrew Holness last Friday. Grant, a mason and father of six, lost his house and work tools in a blaze four years ago. For Jones, a farmer and father of three, securing shelter of his own comes 19 years after a fire destroyed his home and claimed the life of the mother of his children.

The prime minister said that the NSHP is designed to assist citizens who are living under the worst circumstances.

"There are many Jamaicans whose conditions could be described as substandard. However, there are those whose situation is such that they really have no house, no shelter. It is such that ... the current circumstance of their living is extremely uncomfortable and in some cases, inhumane," he said.

"Therefore, the programme tries to target those persons, particularly those who have lost their homes to fire or any other natural disaster," he continued, pointing out that the latest recipients are "supremely qualified".

Holness underscored that the selection process for beneficiaries is driven by recommendations from members of parliament, and sometimes through collaborative effort with the religious and civic communities and other groups.

As of September 8, 157 housing units, or 375 rooms, have been completed under the programme, benefiting over 589 individuals across 50 constituencies.