Census data will better guide gov’t in addressing housing needs – PM
Published:Friday | October 17, 2025 | 2:46 PM
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says data from Jamaica’s 2022 Population and Housing Census will help the Government determine the true scope of the country’s social housing needs and the resources needed to tackle the issue.
The preliminary census and geospatial results were presented by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) during its Quarterly Press Briefing on Wednesday.
STATIN said Jamaica recorded a 2.8 per cent growth in the population or an increase of 76,555 people, bringing the total population count to 2,774,538 people.
Referencing the census, Holness noted that it also provides an overview of the state of housing across the island.
“I am very eager to see the data on the housing conditions. When we review the data on housing conditions in Jamaica, then it is likely that we will restructure [the New Social Housing Programme] (NSHP) to address any issues that are brought up by the census as it relates to the provision of housing,” he said.
He pointed out that based on the last population census, which was undertaken in 2011, the Government estimated that there were approximately 6,000 Jamaicans in need of social housing assistance.
“The new census will provide us with more accurate and up-to-date data on which we can make a decision. The census is important for us to make our budgeting allocation and so we will be looking at this new census to determine whether or not we need to increase the budget that we have to treat with the social housing issues,” he said.
The Prime Minister was speaking during the handover ceremony for a three-bedroom home to Rohan Reid on Tower Avenue in Kingston on October 15.
Reid, who lost his house to a fire in 2021, was among three Jamaicans who received the keys to their new homes under the NSHP on the day.
He expressed gratitude to the Jamaican taxpayers and the Government for bringing his family back together.
“I didn't have anywhere to live. My family had to relocate. We lived all over the place, [and] it caused us to be divided. The Social Housing Programme has done a lot for me. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it,” Reid shared.
The other NSHP recipients were Denique Groves of Shooters Hill in Bull Bay, and Gloria Williams of Red Hills, who both received two-bedroom units.
Groves lost her residence due to land slippage, while Williams’ home was destroyed by a fire.
In a letter to Holness, which he read during the handover, Groves expressed her appreciation for the new home which she said has brought immense joy and comfort to her and her family.
“Having a home of our own means so much. It has given us stability, peace of mind and a renewed sense of hope for the future. I am deeply thankful for your leadership and for the initiatives that continue to improve the lives of Jamaican citizens,” the NSHP recipient wrote to the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Holness reiterated that the target of the NSHP is to address the nation’s most vulnerable population as it relates to shelter.
“Housing vulnerability can come from many, many areas. People can fall into economic distress and they lose their house… . There is homelessness as a result of either natural disasters or man-made disasters.
“This programme is [also] designed to deal with housing as a result of poverty,” Holness outlined.
- JIS News
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