NHT funds to be used to repair infirmaries, provide shelter for street people

The Jamaican Government is proceeding with plans to use $250 million from the National Housing Trust (NHT) to repair several infirmaries across the island. In addition, several projects are to be undertaken, aimed at providing shelter for street people.        

This was disclosed by Local Government Minister Noel Arscott at Friday’s official opening of the male ward at the St. Thomas Infirmary in Morant Bay. He said infirmaries in St. James, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon and Portland require urgent attention.

In relation to the shelters, Mr. Arscott said, several projects have been identified for implementation in Kingston and St. Andrew, Clarendon, Manchester, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St. Ann. They include the refurbishing of  a building to be used as a drop-off centre, the acquisition of  a building to develop a transitional facility for the homeless, and repairs to buildings currently being used.

Plans to use the NHT funds for these initiatives were announced earlier in the year.