The NSHP Has Delivered Over 300 Housing Solutions to Jamaicans in Need
Today, like almost all Fridays for the past few months, I am in the field handing over a new social housing solution. Last week, I was in South Manchester where we handed over four. We are well over 300 housing solutions being handed over under this modality. Now, just to uh inform everyone, this modality is the government builds the house, but it is built on land that is owned and certified so by the beneficiary. Uh in in this case, Ms. Blair would have gone through a process to guarantee us that she has ownership or permission to build on this land. Uh this is a three-bedroom structure. I must say it is well-built. The design is modern. And let me tell you, we are all in the hall of this uh very lovely structure, and I am not sweating. Uh and neither is Minister Tufton. So, it tells you that the ceilings are fairly high. Uh there is enough window and cross-ventilation. And uh I think you are going to uh Ms. Blair and your children enjoy this house. >> Yes, sir. >> Let me say that this house is for three generations. The government isn't coming to take back this house or can't take back this house. Once it is built on land that is certified as owned by somebody else, the the the the house goes with the land. So, whoever owns the land also owns the house. So, this is your house, Ms. Blair. >> Yes, sir. >> But it is also the house of your son and your other kids here, your your sons and your daughter. But I'm I'm told by your son that he recently um had a had a had a baby a a baby a baby's joining your family now so it's three generations. So you're a grandma. >> Yes, sir. >> Exactly. >> Following instructions. >> [laughter] >> So it is it is indeed a great pleasure for me to be able to hand this house over to you for you, your children, and your grandchildren. So this will will create an asset for the family and it will break intergenerational poverty. I'm sure your daughter and your sons your little sons here will do much better in school having a better residential facility. So for me this the one less household that is shelterless. And if we we can't do it one we can't do one house at a time permanent [clears throat] secretary. We need to be doing these in in hundreds and we're accelerating the pace. So Miss Blair we have one small formality left and that is the signing of the social contract and the social contract essentially says Miss Blair that you agree to maintain the house in or better the condition that you have received it. You agree? >> Yes, sir. >> So when I pass back here and I need I want to get a glass of water I can just stop and don't have to be worried. >> No, sir. You >> All right, so you'll maintain the place. That's good. >> Yes, sir. >> Secondly you're not going to rent out the place. >> No. >> When I when when I pass back and I and I say where is Miss Blair's place? And I see a big sign say no Miss Blair shop or Miss No, you can't that this is for your residence, right? And if further fortune were to smile on you and you decided to go two stories up before you make any modification to this house, you will contact the Ministry of Housing, right? Because we are concerned that you may make changes to the structure for which the structure can't support. So, we want to advise you as to how to make changes to the structure. Understood? And of course, anything that you do here must be legal. Legal light and legal water. You agree? Right. So, if you if you agree to those things then you you can sign. All right. And so, officially now, after after I I I sign and then Minister Tofton will witness. And then we will stamp it or seal it as they say. You can witness. You can witness. So, your house Miss Blair is now signed, sealed, and delivered. This is your house and for your children AND FOR [applause] GENERATIONS. ALL RIGHT. EVERYBODY AGREED that you should get this house, right? >> [applause] >> Deserving. Deserving. All right. Listen.