Holness slams ‘mischievous and malicious’ attacks on social housing programme

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has rebuked as "mischievous and malicious" recent statements made against his much-touted New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), which he said has come under attack in the political "battle of minds".

Holness was responding to a social media post earlier this week which suggested that relatives of beneficiaries would not be afforded the homes after their death and that, instead, the homes would be returned to the government.

Holness was speaking at the handing over of a social housing unit in Porters Mountain in Westmoreland on Friday.

"It [the post] was despicable. And you know why it was despicable? Because it was specifically crafted to target a programme that is delivering good benefits to the people of Jamaica. Why? They are trying to tear down this programme for political gain," argued the Prime Minister, as he spurned the "mischievous and malicious" creators of the post.

"But you know what the real disgusting thing is? They are playing on the ignorance of Jamaicans. Even people to whom we would usually ascribe intelligence—people who are well-read and educated but cannot overcome their biases—would have seen the stupid social media post and, without checking, verifying, or applying a tinge of scepticism, accepted it because it plays into their biases."

In recent weeks, The Gleaner has also highlighted the complaints of several beneficiaries who have reported conflicts with contractors, which have stalled some projects.

Others said they are barred from entering the premises pending an official ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Prime Minister.

Contrary to a recent Auditor General's report that criticised the programme for overlapping with other government social initiatives offering the same benefits, Holness said the creators of the post are looking for something to criticise in a programme where there is nothing to criticise.

He said such misinformation is dangerous to democracy, as it causes people to make bad choices.

This is particularly hazardous, he noted, in a country where most people are not fact-checking and where he has spent much time and resources trying to resolve the problems of the 1994 People's National Party-led Operation Pride housing initiative.

"Whether it was the unfinished lots that were supposed to be sold or given to persons where the titling was not completed, or where they had actually cut up the plots and handed them over with no documentation—persons moved onto the land and lived on them, [with] no roads, no infrastructure," Holness said, listing some of the issues of Operation Pride.

"This is not that programme, and I will not allow those persons to use false information to undermine a good programme so that they can gain political power and repeat what they did with programmes such as Operation Pride."

Holness described Operation Pride as an unmitigated disaster, laden with corruption and scandals, that operated at a loss.

"To all well-thinking Jamaicans and supporters, do not allow the evil people to win the battle for the mind. Think very carefully about what is presented to you."

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), which oversees the NSHP, dismissed as "false and misleading" a video circulating on social media that claims beneficiaries are not the owners of the houses.

"We affirm that no houses built under the NSHP are on land where beneficiaries lack property rights," an MEGJC statement read, clarifying also that land ownership, a long-term lease, or permission supported by a legitimate claim—such as a deed—are core requirements for receiving a home under the NSHP.

"This approach ensures stability, accountability, and responsible resource stewardship. Therefore, contrary to the misinformation circulating on social media, the housing units provided under the NSHP are fully owned by the beneficiaries, not the Government of Jamaica," the ministry stated.

- Corey Robinson

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