PETERSFIELD, Westmoreland — The distribution of home repair grants will begin in January, according to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

“We are trying to get that [assessment process] done very quickly because I know some of you have been out there wet up, sun come bun yuh, and you are just frustrated and tired out. I understand, so we are going to try and move very quickly. Early January we will start to now give out the grants,” Holness assured during his Prime Minister’s Christmas Treat in Petersfield, Westmoreland, last Saturday as he outlined the various steps being taken to help residents recover from Hurricane Melissa.

He urged those who sought shelter at Petersfield High School to cooperate and take advantage of the other options being provided. The shelter is expected to wind up operation by the end of this month, in time for the reopening of school in January.

One of the options includes providing land and housing for those who have neither because of the impact of the Category 5 storm that slammed into sections of the country on October 28.

“Some of you are saying, ‘Well, this is the opportunity for the Government to find a piece of land for me and give me a house.’ We are looking into the possibilities; we are trying to find land and other areas where we could find solutions. But whatever category you are finding yourself in, I want to say to you today that, ‘The Government is sensitive, the Government is caring, and we will work with you to find a solution that puts you in a better position than you are in today,’ ” the prime minister assured the thousands of residents gathered.

Some residents were left upset after they were told by Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, during a visit to the shelter on December 4, that the facility will have to be closed by the end of December.

On Saturday Holness said he had dispatched, several times, McKenzie, along with the team from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, to sit with residents and tailor solutions as needed and where possible. Among the groups that are of particular concern are the elderly.

“Some of them may have been shut in before; there is nowhere else for them to go. There is a particular solution that was discussed with Minister McKenzie which we will put into motion,” the prime minister said.

He also outlined plans for other groups, and urged them to work with the systems put in place.

“There are some people who were paying rent before. The house flattened and the landlord took the opportunity to say, ‘Don’t bother come back.’ We know that, so we have asked the Ministry of Local Government to sit with you — there is a particular plan for that. If you fall into that category, work with the social workers and we will assist. I’m not going into the details here because I’m sure you know what was offered and what was discussed,” added Holness.

He also spoke of assistance to Jamaicans who need to repair their property.

“It is an opportunity now for the Government to offer you some support… Some people are able to go back to where they were, and we can help you build up,” said the prime minister.

He stressed the Government’s role in the rebuilding and recovery phase.

“Where people’s minds are at now, they want their roof, they want their house. We are moving from the relief phase to the recovery phase. That is where the Government comes in, because while everybody can come and drop off a package, very few people have the capability to come and fix your roof. The Government’s role then shifts into how we can help you to get your roof up,” the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (centre) is greeted by residents on his arrival at the Prime Minister’s Christmas Treat at Middle Quarters Primary and Infant School in St Elizabeth on December 13.