No more leaky roof for Greenwich Town resident

Avis Morrison, of Second Street in Greenwich Town, St Andrew, was overcome with tears of joy as she received the keys to her new house from Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Friday.

She is the latest beneficiary of improved housing under the Government's New Social Housing Programme (NSHP).

The new three-bedroom unit, which Morrison will share with her sister, was built at a cost of approximately $5.6 million.

No longer will she have to endure the uncomfortable conditions that she lived in for over 30 years, including a leaky roof.

"Before, [the house] was deplorable. I tried my best but when it rains, I would have to even use a ladder to go on the [roof] and place a tarpaulin to prevent me from getting wet," Morrison said.

The proud homeowner said she is "grateful to have a home to call my own. I am elated".

1,000 UNITS PER YEAR

Holness said that the NSHP is tasked with delivering 1,000 units per year for people living in conditions like Morrison's. He said that while the Government pursues a programme to improve housing, there must also be an "improvement of the heart" to promote peace and harmony in communities.

"So, along with the urban and social renewal must be a programme of social transformation. In fact, I like to call it a cultural revolution in Jamaica, because a large part of our crime problem is entrenched in our culture," the prime minister said.