After being left homeless due to a fire more than two years ago, three individuals in Danvers, St Thomas have been gifted new homes courtesy of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s Indigent Housing Programme.

On November 22, 2022, Shani McQueen, Derrick Parchment, and Shamarie McQueen lost their homes, along with all their possessions, due to a devastating blaze.

They were given a fresh start earlier this month when Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie handed over two furnished indigent housing units – Shani McQueen and Derrick Parchment received a two-bedroom family unit, while a one-bedroom unit was presented to Shamarie McQueen.

McKenzie touted the programme as one which was first of its kind in Jamaica’s history.

“Never before in Jamaica’s history has any Government built houses, furnished them and give the people. Our indigent housing programme comes with house, bathroom and toilet inside, water tank, we even put up curtain, mat, everything that is required,” McKenzie said, adding that solar systems will be a feature of future units.

“Here is a government who cares for the people and consider the plight of the Jamaican people,” McKenzie said.

Shani McQueen and Parchment expressed gratitude to McKenzie and the government for their support through what they described as a “treacherous journey”.