KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) as the most enduring and impactful initiative in Jamaica’s battle against poverty, describing it as a transformative force delivering shelter, dignity, and hope to the nation’s most vulnerable.
Speaking at a house handover ceremony in Whitehall, St Thomas, on Thursday, Holness said the NSHP has outlasted previous housing efforts both in consistency and funding.
“There have been programmes like this before, but none have lasted this long, and none have shown this level of endurance or commitment from the government’s budget year after year,” the Prime Minister stated. “The evidence is here.”
He underscored that the NSHP is not simply about providing roofs over heads but rather a sustainable intervention aimed at uplifting Jamaicans living in dire conditions — including victims of domestic abuse, the elderly, persons with disabilities, disaster victims, and low-income earners.
Holness revealed that approximately 6,000 households across Jamaica are living in the worst housing conditions and are being directly targeted by the programme.
“This is about filling a basket with hope where there was none before,” Holness said. “You can have faith in the Government that we will continue to deliver for you.”
The Prime Minister also hinted at plans to extend the NSHP’s reach to support workers in underserved sectors like tourism, where housing development has not kept pace with job growth.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Arlene Williams, affirmed the programme’s transparency and impact, noting 293 houses completed, 43 nearing completion, and 65 in various stages of construction.
She credited rigorous oversight and social investigations for preventing beneficiary fraud, stating:
“There is no beneficiary fraud because of the stringent processes we apply in the ministry… If that is not an achievement, I don’t know what is.”
Williams acknowledged ongoing challenges such as land access and contractor delays but highlighted alternative approaches like tenement upgrades and relocation strategies to help those most in need.
As the NSHP continues to scale up, both Holness and Williams reiterated their commitment to a people-centered, transparent, and results-driven process — one they say is proving that effective governance can deliver real, lasting change
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