THE Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) has moved quickly to reject claims that houses delivered under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) are not owned by the beneficiaries.

On Thursday a video went viral following comments by Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie at the post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday.

McKenzie had told the media briefing that houses delivered to registered poor under the Poor Relief Act remain the property of the municipal corporations.

“So if someone dies, the municipality retains the right of the house and it is passed on to someone who is in need,” he said.

In the video dubbed ‘The Biggest Con in Modern Jamaican History’, the blogger referred to the NSHP and not the indigent housing programme, which was the focus of McKenzie’s comments.

Opposition shadow spokeswoman on local government Natalie Neita Garvey entered the fray as she called on McKenzie to urgently clarify the statements made at the post-Cabinet briefing.

In a media release Neita Garvey said, “The minister’s assertion that these houses would revert to municipal corporation ownership upon the death of the beneficiary is causing national concern and could be legally misleading. The legal status of these homeowners must be clarified, as persons now receiving houses are confused by contradictory statements made by the minister and their original understanding.”

Neita Garvey explained that her advice was that indigent housing provided to registered poor or paupers on the roll only reverts to municipal corporation ownership if constructed on vested pauper lands.

“However, the minister’s statement implied this was the case for all housing grants,” charged Neita Garvey.

She pointed out that this rule does not apply to individuals who receive houses on their own land or land owned by others which they are legally permitted to use.

Neita Garvey charged that some beneficiaries under the NSHP were anxious about their housing security and called on the Government to publicly outline the rules governing these housing provisions.

“The Opposition is firmly against houses being taken away from the elderly, registered poor, indigent individuals, or anyone on the paupers’ roll, as this would put surviving family members at risk of homelessness or destitution,” said Neita Garvey.

But in a mid-morning release MEGJC said it strongly rejects “the false and misleading video currently circulating on social media”, which claims that the houses under the NSHP are not owned by the beneficiaries.

“We affirm that no houses built under the NSHP are on land where beneficiaries lack property rights. All houses are constructed on land provided by the beneficiaries, a core requirement for receiving a social house under the NSHP.

“This includes land ownership, long-term lease, or granted permission, supported by legitimate claims such as a deed of gift. This approach ensures stability, accountability, and responsible resource stewardship. Therefore, contrary to the misinformation circulating on social media, the housing units provided under the NSHP are fully owned by the beneficiaries, not the Government of Jamaica,” said the ministry in its release.

“To be clear, the NSHP does not currently operate on a rent/lease or rent-to-own basis. Such a model would only apply if the NSHP owned the land on which the housing units were built. However, the NSHP does not own a portfolio of land.

“We urge those spreading false information about the NSHP to cease, as this misinformation undermines a programme dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable Jamaicans,” added the ministry.

MEGJC said to further strengthen the NSHP and expand the reach of its benefits, it is working to build its capacity to partner with individuals willing to donate land for the construction of social houses, which will then be allocated to approved beneficiaries.

“This effort requires additional legal and administrative resources to facilitate land transfers and secure property titles for beneficiaries,” the ministry said.

As of January 31, 2025, the NSHP has completed approximately 300 housing units, providing 648 rooms and benefiting more than 968 people across Jamaica.

“The MEGJC remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing this vital programme and will continue to ensure its integrity, transparency, and positive impact on the lives of those in need,” the release added.