KINGSTON, Jamaica Jan 19, CMC -Prime Minister Andrew Holness has disagreed the findings of the auditor general that the new social housing programme (NSHP), duplicates functions being carried out by other state entities.
Holness, speaking at a ceremony in Montego Bay, north west of here, where a house was handed over through the NSHP, said that he disagreed with the findings of the auditor general regarding the programme “that is delivering real, well-needed benefits to the people of Jamaica.
“We will review their report, as we always do. We will respond, and if there are shortcomings, we are constantly seeking to improve the way in which we deliver benefits to the people. But, I’m very concerned indeed,” he said.
Holness said he found it “very disturbing that a programme like the New Social Housing Programme, which was carefully crafted, well executed, is being almost attacked in this way.
“We wish to assure the public that we are doing everything possible, and we do everything possible, to ensure that the benefits are delivered in a timely fashion, but also in an integral and efficient fashion”.
Holness said that the NSHP has not spent J$3.4 billion (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents), adding “that is incorrect and untrue.
“We totally disagree. In fact, we reject the findings of the auditor general as it relates to the operations of the New Social Housing Programme, and I wish to reassure the public that we have administered the programme,” he added.
The auditor general’s report has raised concerns that NSHP and other social programmes have similar objectives and overlapping functions, adding also that there is a lack of coordination among these entities.
It said that over the years, similar roles have been or are being played by the ministries of local government, labour, and economic growth.
“In 2019 the Government further introduced the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), which offers housing units similar to the initial SHP [Social Housing Programme]. Of note, the SHP and the NSHP are concurrently administered by separate units within the MEGJC,” said the report.
But Prime Minister Holness said the various agencies mentioned in the report have their own roles to play in the delivery of social programmes.
“First of all, we build on lands that are provided by the beneficiary, that’s a clear distinction. So, the beneficiary has to bring the land to the table. We not only build for persons who are in need by virtue of their economic status, that they are below the poverty line and unemployed, (but) we also build for persons whose houses were destroyed by fire or any other natural disaster, (for) which (persons) we have done quite a few.
“We also build to upgrade and improve tenement yards and big yards. No other entity has that mandate except the HAJ (Housing Authority of Jamaica) and their mandate is also slightly different as they take on much larger programmes (while) we do from one to 20 units.’
Prime Minister Holness said the mandate is also quite different in that the NSHP does not give building grants.
“Building grants are done by another unit within the Ministry of Housing, and it is also done by the CDF([Constituency Development Fund). All of these units collaborate. In fact, the New Social Housing Programme constructs houses on behalf of various other entities,” Holness said.
CMC/ah/nb/2025