Letter of the Day | Caveats won’t solve destitution

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I write with deep concern about the St James Municipal Corporation’s proposal to place caveats on properties owned by persons housed at the parish infirmary. While I do not question Mayor Richard Vernon’s desire to protect public funds, this approach is cruel, legally questionable, and fundamentally misdiagnoses the problem. It is not fiscal prudence; it is a punitive measure aimed at society’s most vulnerable.

First, consider the context. Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica, damaging homes, displacing families, and placing thousands in financial hardship. In such circumstances, placing caveats on properties, possibly the only remaining assets families possess, only deepens the crisis. The State should be a safety net, not a debt collector during a national emergency.

Second, destitution is not simply a lack of money or property. It is often driven by mental illness, chronic disease, family breakdown, and the absence of social support. A caveat does nothing to address these underlying challenges. Instead, it penalises individuals for having once owned an asset.

Third, the Poor Relief Act dates back to 1886 and is widely regarded as outdated. CAPRI and other stakeholders have long advocated for the proposed National Assistance Bill to replace it with a modern, unified framework. Relying on a 140-year-old law to justify claims against private property is a weak foundation. The Auditor General’s findings of significant disbursements without clear eligibility criteria suggest systemic weaknesses that require reform, not punishment.

Fourth, the mayor’s reliance on the Maintenance Act assumes that adult children have the financial means to support elderly parents. For many Jamaicans struggling with rising living costs, that assumption is unrealistic. A legal obligation cannot create resources that do not exist.

Finally, property rights matter. Caveats placed on the assets of infirmary residents could create opportunities for abuse and set a troubling precedent. Jamaica’s elderly deserve protection, not additional vulnerability.

Rather than pursuing caveats, policymakers should focus on modernising social assistance, strengthening community-based care, supporting caregivers, and addressing the root causes of infirmary overcrowding.

Jamaica’s most vulnerable citizens deserve a humane and modern social protection system.

Yannick Pessoa

Montego Bay