Westmoreland received critical housing support under ROOFS

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The handover of grants under the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP) in Westmoreland on February 19, was a demonstration that structured governance can restore dignity as it restores roofs.

Approximately $787.5 million will be disbursed across the parish to 4,741 affected residents of Westmoreland under the ROOFS programme being delivered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, thousands of families were left with damaged homes, and deep uncertainty. Disaster may strike suddenly, but recovery must be deliberate, fair, and accountable.

The Government’s response has been the establishment of the Shelter Recovery Programme, a coordinated, data-driven framework designed to move from emergency relief into structured recovery. More than 95,000 household assessments have been completed across the island, reflecting an extensive effort to ensure that assistance is based on verified need rather than assumption.

Under the Restoration of Owner-Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) pathway, support is calibrated according to the level of damage sustained. Families whose homes require demolition and rebuilding may receive up to $500,000. Those with major structural damage are eligible for $200,000, while households with minor but significant damage receive $75,000. These categories are not measures of value; they are practical mechanisms to allocate limited public resources responsibly.

The process has taken time – yet speed without verification risks duplication, inequity, and misuse of funds. In matters of national recovery, fairness and accountability must guide action. The deliberate pace of assessments and structured payments reflects a commitment to protecting both beneficiaries and taxpayers.

The programme has also prioritised seniors, persons with disabilities, and single-parent households facing the greatest hardship. This is humane governance that recognises vulnerability.

The families who received grants in Westmoreland represent only a portion of those already assisted, and many more will receive payments in the coming days as verifications continue across all fourteen parishes. Recovery is ongoing.

Ultimately, success will be measured by the number of families who once again have secure roofs. In that effort, structure, transparency, and compassion must continue to define our national response.

PEARNEL CHARLES JR

Minister of Labour and Social Security