KINGSTON, Jamaica — Seven hundred tourism workers whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Melissa will receive vouchers worth $100,000 each under a new housing recovery programme launched by the Ministry of Tourism.
The Tourism Housing Assistance and Recovery Programme (THARP) carries an initial budget of $70 million and was launched on December 16 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, where the first 13 vouchers were handed out, the Jamaica Information Service reported on December 19.
Who qualifies
The programme is open to permanent and contract employees as well as self-employed people in the industry, including hotel staff, craft vendors, tour operators, porters, drivers and attraction workers. Priority is being given to St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St James and Trelawny. More than 60 applications had already been received and were being processed at the time of the launch.
Support is offered in three tiers: a package for roofing and light repairs, a second for structural and foundation work, and a third for complete rebuilding and interior restoration. The Tourism Enhancement Fund will also build five block-and-steel homes immediately, with ten more permanent houses planned.
Plans to scale up
Officials aim to expand the programme to help up to 20,000 tourism workers across the island. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said the industry does not only restore rooms for visitors but also rebuilds roofs for workers. The launch was attended by Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association President Christopher Jarrett, Tourism Enhancement Fund Executive Director Dr Carey Wallace and Permanent Secretary Jennifer Griffith.
What it means for workers and communities
A $100,000 voucher will not rebuild a destroyed house, but it can cover urgent roofing and sealing work that stops further deterioration. Eligible workers should apply early and combine the voucher with any NHT grant, insurance payout or employer assistance they qualify for. For resort-area communities, getting hospitality staff back into secure homes is also key to reopening hotels, stabilising local rental markets and sustaining the property values that depend on a healthy tourism workforce.
Visit our YouTube Community ↗