Holness allocates additional J$9.65 billion for hurricane roof grants
Key Points(5)
- Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced an additional $9.65 billion for the Government’s Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme to complete payments to eligible beneficiaries affected by Hurricane Melissa.
- Speaking at a special press briefing at Jamaica House on Tuesday, October 27, Holness said more than 118,000 households had been assessed as needing assistance under the programme.
- “Roughly half have received assistance, so far, through the expenditure of approximately $12 billion,” he said.
- ROOFS is part of the Government’s broader Shelter Recovery Programme, which was established to assist families whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28.
- Holness said the Government aims to provide assistance to 90% of assessed households by the end of December, with the remaining 10% targeted for January 2027.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced an additional JMD$9.65 billion for the Government’s Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme to complete payments to eligible beneficiaries affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Speaking at a special press briefing at Jamaica House on Tuesday, October 27, Holness said more than 118,000 households had been assessed as needing assistance under the programme.
“Roughly half have received assistance, so far, through the expenditure of approximately $12 billion,” he said.
ROOFS is part of the Government’s broader Shelter Recovery Programme, which was established to assist families whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28.
Holness said the Government aims to provide assistance to 90% of assessed households by the end of December, with the remaining 10% targeted for January 2027.
The administration hopes to conclude the hurricane recovery phase by the end of January, he said.
However, the prime minister acknowledged that payments could be delayed by administrative requirements and verification procedures.
Noting that the process “will take some time because of the bureaucratic requirements,” Holness urged the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to ensure that eligible beneficiaries who have completed the necessary steps receive their assistance.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to helping families that have yet to fully recover, describing their recovery as an urgent priority.
