KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) is the most transformative and enduring initiative in Jamaica’s fight against poverty.

“There have been programmes like this before, but none have lasted this long, and none have shown this level of endurance or commitment from the government’s budget year after year. All of you can have faith that this is going to be done. The evidence is here,” said Holness.

He says the NSHP has been delivering not only shelter but also dignity and hope to the nation’s most vulnerable.

Speaking Thursday at the latest house handover ceremony in Whitehall, St Thomas, Holness emphasised that the NSHP is not merely a shelter programme but a sustainable intervention that is delivering long-term hope to Jamaicans in dire housing conditions.

“We estimate that there are about 6,000 households in Jamaica where people live under the worst of the worst conditions. The New Social Housing Programme is targeted at them. Before this, there was nothing like this programme. Now, at least, you see that the programme is delivering, step by step,” said Holness.

Holness described the NSHP as a multi-tiered initiative that addresses a wide range of vulnerable groups, including victims of domestic abuse, the elderly, persons with disabilities, those affected by disasters, and low-income earners.

The prime minister added that this programme will also add a new dimension to benefit workers in industries like tourism, where formal housing has lagged behind employment growth.

“There have been programmes like this before, but none have lasted this long, and none have shown this level of endurance or commitment from the Government’s budget year after year. All of you can have faith that this is going to be done. The evidence is here,” Holness added.

He defended the programme’s integrity in the face of public skepticism and encouraged the citizens to have faith in a process that, though incremental, is deeply transformational.

“What we are focused on is filling that basket with hope where there was none before. This is the evidence of the substance of faith, and you can have faith in the Government that we will continue to deliver for you,” he argued.

In the meantime, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Arlene Williams, who attended the handover ceremony, also underscored the success and transparency of the programme. Williams outlined the robust oversight mechanisms in place to ensure only the most deserving receive benefits.

“There is no beneficiary fraud because of the stringent processes we apply in the ministry. Social investigations are conducted, and applications are thoroughly scrutinised by a project oversight committee, chaired by a technocrat and inclusive of representatives from multiple ministries and agencies,” said Williams.

To date, 293 houses have been completed under the NSHP, with 43 more near completion and 65 others in various stages of construction.

Williams noted that the ministry has made significant strides in efficiency, with some homes now being built in just over three weeks.

“If that is not an achievement, I don’t know what is. We are very passionate about the work that we do. This programme is one of the most successful and impactful initiatives being rolled out by the Government,” she said.

She also acknowledged existing challenges such as land availability and contractor delays but affirmed that alternate modalities such as tenement upgrades and relocation of vulnerable populations are being effectively implemented.

As the Government continues to scale up the New Social Housing Programme, both Prime Minister Holness and Permanent Secretary Williams reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the initiative remains people-focused, transparent, and results-driven.

With hundreds of homes already completed and many more on the way, the programme stands as a clear testament that effective governance, grounded in compassion and accountability, can deliver meaningful change.