LAW STUDENT BENEFITS FROM INDIGENT HOUSING PROGRAMME
MONTEGO BAY, March 7 (JIS): BY: SERENA GRANT
Twenty-year-old university student, Chelsia Reynolds, and her family are now the proud owners of a new home, thanks to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s Indigent Housing Programme.
The Brompton, St. Elizabeth resident, whose family benefits from the Poor Relief Department in the parish, received a fully furnished two-bedroom, one-bathroom home.
Miss Reynolds, who is studying law at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, met Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in 2023 while receiving the award for being a top achiever in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) from the Board of Supervision that year.
She told the Minister that her family was in dire need of a new home, as their living conditions at that time were less than ideal. On February 27, Miss Reynolds’ wish was granted.
During the handover ceremony held in her community, Miss Reynolds expressed heartfelt gratitude to Minister McKenzie and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth Southwestern, Hon. Floyd Green, for their part in ensuring she received her new home.
She also noted that the unit was a tribute to her mother, as she played the roles of both parents in her life.
“My mother has been both my parents since a young age. She has been finding my school fee, lunch fee, bus fare, every fee. She’s been everything to me and without her I would not be standing here today,” an emotional Miss Reynolds said.
“I always tell her, Mommy, this house is not for me; this house is for you. I want you to live comfortably. I want you to rest. You’ve done enough,” she said.
Miss Reynolds also thanked the Poor Relief Department for all the help they have given to her family over the years.
For his part, Mr. McKenzie lauded the university student for being ambitious and going for her goals the right way.
“This is a young lady who could have chosen other means to get what she wants. She never allowed circumstances to deny who she is, where she’s coming from and where she wants to go, and today she’s a living testimony to that,” he said.
“We must celebrate her achievements because what she has done and will continue to do is pave the way for other young persons like herself and I’m glad that I’m a part of an Administration that understands,” the Minister added.
Mr. McKenzie also underscored that political preferences are not considered when helping persons in need.
“When people come to us in Poor Relief, we don’t ask them which party [they support], or which colour they wear, because poverty has no politics, hunger has no friends and we have never made a determination to [help] any individual based on political persuasion,” he emphasised.
The Indigent Housing Programme was designed to address the housing difficulties faced by the poor and most vulnerable. Applicants for the programme are screened through the Poor Relief Department, investigation and verification procedures are carried out to establish the need. Potential beneficiaries must also demonstrate ownership of the property on which the house is to be built or provide documentation that they are lawfully entitled to tenure on such property.
The Ministry has developed three types of solutions – studio units, one-bedroom units and two-bedroom family units.
