St. Elizabeth Family Receives $6.7m Home Through Government’s Indigent Housing Programme

Posted on July 7, 2025July 7, 2025

JIS:
A family in Brompton, St. Elizabeth, now has a safe and comfortable place to call home, following the handover of a newly constructed $6.7 million housing unit by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, on Friday (July 4).

The housing solution was delivered to the Farquharsons under the Ministry’s Indigent Housing Programme, which continues to provide critical support for vulnerable Jamaicans through the provision of safe, durable homes.

The unit was constructed with modern conveniences, including a water harvesting system to ensure the family has access to stored water during dry periods.

Additionally, the house was fully outfitted with furniture, fixtures, and appliances, easing the burdens of a family that had long endured substandard living conditions.

This housing intervention marks the second time the Farquharson family has benefitted under the programme.

In June 2023, Shawya Farquharson—a mother of three who had been living in a dilapidated two-room structure—received a one-bedroom unit through the Indigent Housing Programme.

However, following the initial handover, it was observed that her adult son and his family were still living in an equally derelict structure.

In response, the Ministry committed to constructing an additional unit, which has since been completed and presented to the family.

“A caring Government has responded… [and] I am proud. I want to encourage the family to take care of your investment by ensuring that you maintain the quality of it,” Mr. McKenzie urged.

He noted that, “this Administration, since 2016, specifically identified indigent housing as a means of responding in a meaningful way to the indigent population across the country.”

“St. Elizabeth, since we have started, have seen investment of close to $100 million of indigent housing support; over six units have been constructed in this parish in total,” the Minister added.

Mr. McKenzie also highlighted the continued involvement of the Poor Relief Department, which ensures that beneficiaries receive holistic care beyond housing.

This includes support for school expenses, medical needs, and other essential social services for members of the indigent population.

In the meantime, Mayor of Black River and Chairman of the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Solomon, praised the collaborative effort that made the housing project possible.

He commended the efforts of Minister McKenzie; Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth South Western, Hon. Floyd Green, and the Municipal Corporation team, noting that the project was completed on time, to satisfaction, and with well-utilised resources.

“There’s no greater pride than when one can open the door [to their own home] with their own key; and this is possible today because of our government,” Councillor Solomon said.

For his part, Mr. Green, commended the programme’s focus on expanding housing access while enhancing the quality, safety, and dignity of the units provided.

He further praised Minister McKenzie for his compassion and effectiveness in addressing the needs of the poor, even while navigating national challenges.

“We have a government that manages the resources of the country well and can deal with crises while still lifting up the poor,” Mr. Green said.

Beneficiary, Shawya Farquharson, expressed gratitude for the support received, acknowledging the government officials and community leaders who helped make her housing dream a reality.

New Port Maria Market officially opened

Posted on February 20, 2024February 20, 2024

New Port Maria Market officially opened

PORT MARIA, St. Mary: Vendors and shoppers now have improved operating  and shopping experience with the official opening of the Port Maria Market.

The $66 million facility was built through funds provided by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

“This market represents the fourth new market that the government of Prime Minister Andrew Holness has built since 2016…The policy of this Government is to make our markets more friendly, to make it enticing for persons to come,” said Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

“I want to urge the vendors that it is important that they utilize the market and not just the vendors, but those who come to shop. Support those persons who are operating under orders and come into the market. It’s clean and spacious.”

He was speaking at the official opening ceremony in Port Maria on February 13.

The Minister also announced that phase two of Port Maria Market project is expected to go to tender during the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

“We’re going to go up one more floor with the market to have better shops and office space to attract more persons to come into the market. They are expecting

expecting to spend $70m on that project.”

The Ministry has responsibility for some 37 markets across the country- 31 of which are functioning.

“The government will be providing some $250m to repair and to clean sanitary facilities in all markets across Jamaica,” added Minister McKenzie.

He also used the occasion to commend the staff of the St. Mary Municipal Corporation for the efforts over the years to pursue the completion of the Port Maria Market.

The most recently constructed market was the Hopewell Market in Hanover. Meanwhile, the Annotto Bay Market in St. Mary is earmarked to receive a spend of some $70m to renovate the facility. The Highgate Market, also in the parish, was gutted by fire in July 2022.

An interim arrangement is in place for the vendors to operate from a temporary location until the replacement facility is constructed.

“I’ve spent close to some $800m in the parish of St. Mary since we became Government in 2016. All the works that we have done are living testimony to the performance of the Government,” the Minister shared.

“This is about peace, productivity, and prosperity. Productivity comes out of the market where the vendors can come and ply their trade, get more money in their pockets, and that will now create prosperity. Once the prosperity is evident, you will have peace and that is what we are all about- the productivity, the peace and prosperity St Mary.”

 

 

Major facelift for Ocho Rios Transportation Centre

Posted on February 12, 2024

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann: In keeping with its responsibility to improve service offerings to the public; the Ocho Rios Transportation Centre will receive a $7 million overhaul through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s Equalization Fund.

The funding will be made available to its operator, the St. Ann Municipal Corporation.

“The Ministry is also going to be engaging the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) in expanding the work that is taking place at the transportation centre and to see how best we can improve the conditions,” explained Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenize.

Repairs have been effected to the roads inside the centre, as well as corrective works done on the sewage system, which recently experienced issues.

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is also actively involved in repairing and installing streetlights to improve overall safety and visibility.

“I want to commend the people who operate inside here. They are the ones who came forward and offered to undertake some of the remedial work. In fact, this [road patching] work being done currently, is by people who saw the need and have responded in a very positive way,” the Minister said during a recent visit to the facility.

He also emphasized the significance of the centre, which serves transport operators, small business operators and the travelling public who rely on efficient public transportation services.

Meanwhile, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Honourable Matthew Samuda, emphasised the importance of a coordinated multi-agency effort to get lasting results.

“I thank the business community that assisted us to get the work started, while the proper governance processes are followed to (obtain the funds necessary to) repair the transportation centre,” he stated.

“Ultimately, the business people and transport operators need a functional facility to operate and feed their family. Equally important, the functioning of the town, at large, requires this facility to function so that traffic does not back up and disrupt public order.”

Upgraded Clarendon Drop-In Centre and Night Shelter opened

Posted on December 12, 2023December 12, 2023

DENBIGH, Clarendon: The rehabilitated and upgraded Clarendon Drop-In Centre and Night Shelter was opened during a special ceremony on December 8.

The facility, located adjacent to the Clarendon Infirmary on East Street in Denbigh Works, was rehabilitated, upgraded, and refurbished to the tune of J$9 million through an allocation from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, in his remarks at the ceremony called on the private sector to partner with the government to provide for the poor and destitute. He also disclosed that concerns are being expressed by residents about the influx of street people in rural parishes and towns, namely Clarendon and the town of Santa Cruz in St Elizabeth.

Jamaica has a homeless population of roughly 3,000 with approximately 80 percent of being men.

Meanwhile, Minister McKenzie noted that the homeless population is at significant risk and is increasingly being targeted by criminals.

“It is a sad day when a country turns on the homeless population in the way in which some of these criminals have,” he said. “And you know what is sad about it, I don’t hear one of these so-called human rights groups coming out condemning these actions. I don’t hear anybody talking about how brutal and how wicked these people are against the homeless of this country.”

The Clarendon Night Shelter has the capacity to sleep 25 persons nightly.

Drop-In Centres are the first point of contact for homeless persons and offer a range of care, including baths and other hygiene care, meals, and medical assessment.

There are similar facilities in St. Thomas, St. Mary, St. Ann, Trelawny, St James, Hanover, St. Elizabeth, and St. Catherine. The Clarendon Drop-In Centre was expanded to incorporate a night shelter.
The MLGCD’s Board of Supervision operates the Drop-In Centres and Night Shelters through the Poor Relief Departments at the Municipal Corporations islandwide. Night Shelters were also opened in Trelawny and St. Ann this year.

The St. James, Westmoreland as well as the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporations also operate Night Shelters. The Ministry also gives support to the Ebenezer Home in Mandeville, an in-house rehabilitation centre, as well as the Portland Rehabilitation Management Centre.

The Desmond McKenzie Transitional Centre in Kingston is also being expanded to accommodate more than 100 persons.

 

Two Indigent Houses handed over in Manchester

Posted on December 7, 2023December 7, 2023

KENDAL, Manchester: Two indigent houses have been handed over in the communities of Coley Mountain and Kendal each by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

The units- a studio and a two-bedroom family unit, were constructed at a cost of approximately J$16.5 million under the Ministry’s Indigent Housing Programme.

During the handover ceremony on December 1 at Kendal, Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, emphasized that the Government has been consistent in its response to the housing needs of Jamaicans.

“It is worth repeating that since 2016, this Administration has built more houses than any other for (persons at) every level of society,” he said.

He cited the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme, the Indigent Housing Programme, the National Housing Trust (NHT), and the Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited (HAJ), as well as partnerships forged with private sector stakeholders, among the entities and arrangements contributing to the housing stock.

Minister McKenzie also urged one of the recipients of Friday’s presentations, Kendal resident, Nadine Lawrence, to take care of the new house.

Ms. Lawrence, whose board house was destroyed by fire in 2020, said she was grateful for her new two-bedroom home.

“I could not do it. My children could not do it; we are poor. Other people in the community were there with me during my time of loss of my board dwelling. [The] Government has provided me with a concrete house now and I thank you so much. I am thankful that I have a key and can sleep (peacefully).”

Mr. Rodney Dwyer was the beneficiary of a studio unit in Coley Mountain.

The Indigent Housing Programme is spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development through the Poor Relief Department at each Municipal Corporation and provides housing solutions to persons registered as poor. This initiative began in 2016 and falls under the Ministry’s Municipal Social Assistance Programme (MSAP).

MSAP was created to offer a viable solution to the housing crises evidenced among the vulnerable population. Requests for full units or assistance with repairs continue to be one of the main applications made of the Poor Relief Departments.

The Indigent Housing Programme reflects the policy of the Ministry to promote modernity and to elevate the standards of housing for the poor, by building only concrete houses with basic amenities.

 

Local Gov’t Minister hosts Youth Mayors’ Forum

Posted on November 22, 2023November 22, 2023

RUNAWAY BAY, St. Ann: Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, has committed J$1 million each to the 14 Junior Councils to undertake their group projects during their one-year term.

The Minister hosted the new cohort of Youth Mayors, representing the respective Municipal Corporations and the Municipality of Portmore, at a forum in Runaway Bay, St. Ann on November 16.

The Youth Mayor presented their proposed group projects and their impact on their communities. The initiatives ranged from the provision of water tanks to schools as well as the renovation of football fields, bus stops and infirmaries to catering to the mentally ill.

“As I listened to all of your presentations they were of high quality, well put together, and most importantly, they were excellently delivered, and I must commend you,” stated Minister McKenzie.

“Local Government is the stable for producing outstanding political leaders.”

He used the Youth Mayors’ Forum to highlight the role of local government in nurturing future political leaders, as he encouraged the young leaders to view their roles as “stepping stones” into the complex world of politics.

“I want to encourage you, because a lot of people feel that if you’re going into politics, you must walk in and become a Member of Parliament. While it is good to have ambition, it is also good to experience what it is all about by being a [Local Government] Councillor,” the Minister added.

He urged the Youth Mayors to recognise the importance of gaining experience as a parochial representative (Councillor) before pursuing higher political ambitions, as he alluded to the challenges and the responsibilities of the role.

Minister McKenzie also acknowledged the efforts of the Youth Mayors on the brilliance exhibited during their presentations. He noted the continuous improvement in the forum’s quality since its introduction in 2016.

He also encouraged them to remain engaged in politics even after their term has ended.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the youth leaders for their participation in the programme and challenged them to ensure the successful execution of their projects.

The Youth Mayors’ Forum form part of the activities of Local Government and Community Month, which is observed in November each year.

Ocho Rios gets $22m night shelter

Posted on August 22, 2023April 29, 2025

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann: A $22 million night shelter to serve the resort town of Ocho Rios, St. Ann and its environs is officially opened for operations.

The building, which is sited in Bucksfield, Ocho Rios, was opened by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie on August 18.

The homeless shelter was constructed to the adjoining Ocho Rios Drop-in Centre and can sleep 13 men and seven women at a time. It will provide temporary shelter, meals, and bathroom amenities.

“The drop-in centre since it was established, we not only take them in and give them medical care and look after their needs, but we also try to rehabilitate them,” said Minister McKenzie.

Data from the Poor Relief Department points to the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of five homeless individuals into permanent employment. One of the Ocho Rios Drop-In Centre residents is pursuing a certificate in agriculture at Ebony Park Heart Academy.

According to Byron Gilzene, the homeless shelter will help him escape the violence on the streets.

“To contribute to homeless persons is a blessing. I was hospitalized two weeks ago and almost died from wounds inflicted by being homeless sleeping in the bus park. It gives me great enthusiasm that this place, that is now my home, will be protecting me,” he shared.

Mr. Gilzene also assists with the landscaping works at the new facility.

The Minister also disclosed that the town of Brown’s Town, St. Ann, which has a growing number of homeless individuals, is on the Ministry’s radar.

“Our next port of call will be the Brown’s Town area to see if we could put in something…that would deal with the issues there.”

Additionally, Minister McKenzie shared that the Government has allocated over $100 million in social security for the poor and destitute in St. Ann for the 2023/2024 fiscal year to deal with homelessness and improving the lives of vulnerable citizens.