Fire victim gets new home through NSHP

Resident of Maggotty Pass in St Elizabeth, Marie Loney, is now the proud owner of a new home, thanks to the Government's New Social Housing Programme (NSHP).

Ms Loney, who lost her previous home due to a fire, received a three-bedroom home from Prime Minister, Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, on March 14.

She will live in the home with her children. Loney was one of three St Elizabeth residents who received homes on the day The other homes were handed over to residents in New Market (St Elizabeth North Eastern) and George's Valley (St Elizabeth North Western).

During the handover ceremony in Maggotty Pass, Holness emphasised that the programme continues to assist persons in dire need of homes.

"We have assisted persons who are living in an abandoned vehicle, and we have assisted persons who are living under a tree. We have also assisted persons who are living in cardboard boxes, and we have assisted several persons whose homes were destroyed by fire and natural disasters. We have also assisted persons whose houses were about to collapse on them. Those are obviously the persons who are genuinely in need," the Prime Minister said.

Holness added that the programme is targeted mostly at persons who have no means of helping themselves to get a new home.

"So, they are not working, they have no income, their family isn't working, or they are pregnant or lactating, they have young children, or they are elderly and retired. So, we focus on what we call the most vulnerable in the population," the Prime Minister pointed out.

"So today Miss Loney is a beneficiary because of her situation with her house and her household not being able to afford one. We are very pleased, Miss Loney, to be able to hand over this unit to you," he said.

Holness also encouraged Ms. Loney and her family to take care of the unit.

For her part, Ms. Loney thanked the Prime Minister and Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport and Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth North Eastern, Honourable J.C. Hutchinson, for their part in ensuring she got her new home.

She noted that she has gone through several challenges since her house was destroyed, as the family's accommodation was unstable for close to two years.

"I've been through a lot since my house burned down. I've been living here, living there, spending one or two weeks here, one or two nights there. I've been bouncing around all about. Every day, two times per day, I used to call Mr. Hutchinson, asking if he had any updates [on my application]," Ms. Loney said.

"I must thank the taxpayers and the Prime Minister for giving me this foundation, this three-bedroom [home], so I will be able to sleep comfortably tonight," she added.

- JIS

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