WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Beneficiaries in Westmoreland received their Restoration of Owner-Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) grants on Thursday, marking what the Ministry of Labour and Social Security describes as another milestone under the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP).

In a statement on Friday, Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr described the initiative as a restoration of “safety, stability, and dignity” for families whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025.

Speaking at the handover ceremony at Sean Lavery Faith Hall, Charles Jr said: “Today is not just about grants.”  “It is about restoration and dignity. The families gathered here are not statistics; they are Jamaicans who deserve secure homes and the opportunity to rebuild with confidence,” he added.

Following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which severely impacted communities across the island, the Government committed to transitioning from emergency assistance to a structured, transparent recovery framework.

The ministry says this commitment materialised in the Shelter Recovery Programme — a nationally coordinated, data-driven system managed by the ministry.

To date, more than 95,000 household assessments have been completed across Jamaica, ensuring that support is delivered fairly and based on verified need.

The ministry said the families who received their grants represent only a portion of those already supported under the programme, with many more beneficiaries in Westmoreland and other parishes scheduled to receive their payments in the coming days, as the national rollout continues across other affected parishes, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to a structured and equitable recovery process.

ROOFS represents a cash-based recovery pathway within the SRP framework, guided by the principle of “one household, one coordinated recovery pathway” to prevent duplication and prioritise the most vulnerable.

Beneficiaries fall within three verified damage categories, including Severe Damage, which includes homes requiring demolition and rebuilding (up to $500,000); Major Damage, including homes with compromised structural elements ($200,000) and Minor Damage, including structurally sound homes with damaged roofs, windows, doors, or fixtures ($75,000).