THE Government plans to steadily scale up the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) to expeditiously address issues regarding home acquisitions by Jamaica’s most vulnerable citizens.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement while speaking during the handover of four houses to NSHP beneficiaries in St Elizabeth on Friday.

He indicated that the programme has evolved from delivering “one or two houses monthly” to now conducting multiple handovers weekly.

Holness said this expansion is set to continue, with the Government committed to increasing the pace of development and delivery while ensuring sustainability and maintaining rigorous oversight to prevent possible misconduct.

“The [initiative] is a rigorously supervised programme because we want to ensure that every dollar that has been allocated for the beneficiary is received by the beneficiary,” he emphasised.

“We have put in place the rules and systems, we have trained the people, we have developed the methodology, and we have identified the funding,” Holness added.

To date, the NSHP has provided 242 housing units to beneficiaries, positively impacting the lives of more than 890 individuals.

The latest recipients were among the five families who received keys to their new homes on Friday.

In St Elizabeth, Yanique Duhaney of Donegal district received a three-bedroom unit; Nicole Lennon of Bagdale Mountain, a two-bedroom house; Sheldon McClean of Heartfield District, a three-bedroom home; and Jean Edwards of Dalton District in Warminster received a two-bedroom unit.

In Manchester, Denise Powell of Newfield was presented with a three-bedroom unit.

“This is not just an investment in you and your family, [but] this is going to break intergenerational poverty; this is an asset that your children can inherit. So, these children now will also have the opportunity to do well in school, and with your continued effort and their improved performance in education the future is much brighter,” Holness stated.

The recipients expressed sincere gratitude for the programme and the provisions facilitated.

Duhaney, a farmer and mother of two, thanked the prime minister, her Member of Parliament (MP), and the Jamaican people for the opportunity.

She encouraged others in similar situations to reach out to their MPs, noting that the programme is accessible to those in need.

McClean and his family echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the NSHP will transform their lives for the better.

“I want to say a special thank you to each and every one who made this possible. I am overwhelmed and very thankful,” he stated.

And Lennon, who recounted having to share living space with her mother, sister and two sons in a dilapidated structure, expressed her “nervous excitement and happiness” at receiving her new home.