Gov’t launches shelter recovery programme to aid Hurricane Melissa victims

The Government has launched the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), a multifaceted and coordinated national response to support individuals and families whose homes were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28.

This initiative marks the country’s transition from immediate hurricane relief to long-term recovery, encompassing the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and, where necessary, relocation of homes to restore dignity and security for affected Jamaicans.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr., who provided an overview during the launch at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, January 15, explained that the initiative employs a structured assessment and verification process to ensure affected individuals receive the appropriate intervention based on their needs.

He disclosed that, to date, more than 70,000 households have been assessed, impacting over 200,000 individuals.

The assessments categorise houses into five groups: no damage, no significant damage, minor damage, major damage, and severe damage.

“So far, in looking on that three-tiered categorisation, the percentages are 42 per cent minor [damage]; 40 per cent major [damage], such as you losing your roof; and 18 per cent severe [damage, which] means you really have lost most, if not everything,” Charles Jr. explained.

Under the SRP framework, individuals may access support through six initiatives: the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) grant, government-led repair, partnership-led repair, National Housing Trust (NHT) support, deployment of modular housing solutions, and relocation or regularisation.

The flagship initiative, ROOFS, has been allocated an initial $10 billion to assist households assessed as having sustained minor, major, or severe damage.

Households assessed with minor damage will receive support of up to $75,000, while those with major damage will be eligible for up to $200,000, and those with severe damage may access up to $500,000.

“ROOFS is the major component of the SRP that will allow for us, now, to satisfy the passage of benefit to that person who is either in the minor, major or severe category. So, if you don’t have any damage, you're not going to be a part of ROOFS. If [you have] no significant damage, you’re not [going to be] a part of ROOFS,” Charles Jr. explained.

He cautioned, however, that households with severe damage will receive priority, along with those deemed vulnerable, including the elderly, single-parent families, and persons with disabilities.

The Minister approximated that, of the total allocation to the ROOFS initiative, $5 billion will be directed to homes assessed as severely damaged, while $4 billion will be applied to those classified under the second category of major damage.

“However, we do acknowledge that even in the minor category, you have persons who fit certain vulnerabilities. So, of [the remaining] $1 billion, that will be applied to persons who even have minor damage but who overlap with certain vulnerabilities,” he stated.

Charles Jr noted that payment of grants under the ROOFS initiative will be facilitated through multiple channels to accommodate the diverse circumstances of beneficiaries.

These include digital vouchers, prepaid or payment cards, direct deposits to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, and approved remittance-based mechanisms.

The Minister added that cheques will be issued only in exceptional circumstances.

Charles Jr, informed that, while other aspects of the SRP have already begun providing support to individuals affected by Hurricane Melissa, the ROOFS initiative is expected to commence by the end of January 2026.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holness, is urging beneficiaries of the ROOFS initiative to utilise the funds strictly for their intended purpose.

“I’m appealing to those persons who [may] have it in their heads [to do otherwise], please use the grant for the purpose for which it was given. It’s a lot of money… it’s taxpayers' money,” he maintained.

The SRP is being administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

- JIS News

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.