Two St. Ann families are now living in safer, more secure conditions following the handover of new homes under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), as the Government continues to expand access to decent housing for Jamaicans who lack the means to rebuild or improve their living conditions.

Among the latest beneficiaries is Ms. Pauline Johnson, who received a new three-bedroom home on August 14, 2026, from Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. Ms. Johnson, who lives with a disability following a stroke, lost her previous home in a fire.

Ms. Nikesha Gohagen of St. Ann was also selected for assistance based on her housing circumstances and the responsibility of caring for her children in less-than-ideal living conditions.

Speaking at Ms. Johnson’s handing-over ceremony, Prime Minister Holness said the latest handovers demonstrate the NSHP’s dual commitment, helping Jamaicans in genuine need while ensuring that public resources are delivered through a transparent, lawful and accountable process.

The Prime Minister added that the strong community support for the beneficiary reflected public confidence in a programme designed to assist Jamaicans with genuine housing needs.

“Were it a programme where people who didn’t need it were benefitting, then there would be no confidence in that programme”, the Prime Minister said.

He stressed that the integrity of the NSHP begins with the selection of beneficiaries, noting that applicants undergo social investigations, verification of their circumstances, community checks and assessment of the land on which the house is to be constructed.

The Prime Minister also made clear that Government will not compromise on the legality of land used for NSHP construction.

“If we are building a house, we are not building on captured land. We take the time to find out whose land it is”, he stated.

Dr. Holness urged Jamaicans occupying land without formal documentation to regularise their tenure and secure legal ownership, while stressing that the country’s development must balance legality with fairness.

“Jamaica can’t develop with informality, but Jamaica cannot develop with unfairness as well”, Dr. Holness said.

He added that the Government’s approach is to expand access to housing and land while ensuring that development remains lawful, sustainable and fair.

Established in 2018 under the Government’s Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) initiative, the NSHP has expanded to all 14 parishes, with beneficiary selection guided by a rigorous, merit-based process designed to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need.

To date, approximately 349 houses have been completed under the NSHP, with a further 65 housing solutions at various stages of development. Across the programme, more than 1,600 Jamaicans have benefited from safe and secure housing in 57 constituencies.