Government Has No Intention to Retake NSHP Houses
“To be clear, the government cannot come and take this [house] back, and neither do we want to.”
-Prime Minister Holness
Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness has declared that the government has no intention of reclaiming houses granted to beneficiaries of units under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP).
Dr. Holness stressed that the beneficiaries are the owners of the units they receive under NSHP.
Speaking at the latest handing over ceremony on Friday (March 7) in Greenmount, Northwest Manchester the Prime Minister stated the terms of ownership, emphasizing that the NSHP initiative is designed to uplift vulnerable Jamaicans and improve their quality of life.
“So just to be clear, the government cannot come and take this [house] back, and neither do we want to. What we are trying to do is to give Evadne an asset that she can use to break intergenerational poverty. So, Evadne’s family now has an endowment from which they can build on.,” Prime Minister Holness stated unequivocally.
The NSHP, a key component of the Housing, Opportunity, Production, and Employment (HOPE) Programme, has a mandate to provide shelter and ensuring dignity for beneficiaries. Prime Minister Holness highlighted that the housing units, though modest, are well-constructed and aesthetically pleasing.
“The objective of the programme, in addition to efficiency and effectiveness, is to improve dignity. Now, when you look at this house, it is a small house, it is a small two-bedroom house, but it looks good. People need to have a sense that their country cares about them and even if they are vulnerable, that there is a certain standard below which that they will not fall and that is the New Social Housing Programme and that is what I believe that we have delivered here today,” declared Dr. Holness.
The NSHP homes are constructed on privately owned land, meaning the government does not retain any claim to the property. Beneficiaries must secure permission from landowners before the house is built. The Prime Minister also clarified that while the home is initially tied to the land, the contractual terms ensure long-term security for the recipient.
“So effectively, Evadne owns this house. After 40 years and the contract expires, then it becomes the property of the person who owns the land, and we go higher than that. We go up to 99 years. So effectively, Evadne owns this house, and she could possibly pass it over to her beneficiaries,” the Prime Minister explained.
Under the programme, each beneficiary signs a social contract to ensure responsible homeownership. The agreement includes commitments to maintain the house in good condition, use it for its intended purpose, and seek guidance before making modifications. Additionally, homeowners must have legal utilities and remain law-abiding citizens.
Through the NSHP, the government continues to deliver on its promise to improve the lives of vulnerable Jamaicans, ensuring they have access to safe, dignified, and legally protected housing.