Prime Minister Andrew Holness addresses the Jamaica Government Pensioners Association 57th Annual General Meeting held recently at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew. (Photo: JIS)
Two pensioners are to be selected annually to receive housing assistance under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced.
He made the disclosure while addressing the Jamaica Government Pensioners’ Association 57th Annual General Meeting recently at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew.
He said the association’s executive will be empowered to recommend two beneficiaries annually to receive the assistance.
An assessment will be conducted thereafter to determine genuine need by the individuals.
“We will depend on the association to make the recommendations, and this will have to be someone who either has land or has permission to use land that we can build on,” Holness informed.
The prime minister said the Government is determined to use the strong economic performance of the country to address needs and improve the quality of life of the people, including the elderly.
“As our economy improves, we will make the necessary allocations towards improving the benefits that you receive, particularly the benefits that will reduce the cost of living to you,” he told the gathering.
“I… want you to recognise the connection between our economic prospects and the benefits that you receive,” he said.
The commitment of houses for pensioners under the NSHP follows the announcement that such individuals in need of financial assistance can benefit from a one-off payment of $150,000 under the Pension Relief
Fund that is managed by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.
However, pensioners will not directly receive the funds, but will have to submit an invoice to have the funds paid over for like medical expenses, for example.
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