Jamaica’s tourism sector has initiated a major housing recovery effort to support workers devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett officially unveiled the Tourism Housing Assistance Recovery Programme (THARP) during a ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday, attended by sector stakeholders and the first group of beneficiaries.
The program’s immediate intervention involves distributing housing vouchers worth $100,000 each, funded by a $70 million allocation from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). These vouchers are structured into three targeted packages: Package A addresses roofing and minor repairs for quick home stabilization; Package B tackles significant structural damage including foundation issues; and Package C focuses on comprehensive building and interior repairs to restore full living conditions.
Minister Bartlett emphasized that THARP represents both immediate relief and long-term housing solutions. Following island-wide consultations, authorities have identified 100 initial beneficiaries, with approximately 700 workers expected to benefit from the first funding allocation. The minister reported strong early interest, with over 60 applications already submitted.
The program’s broader vision includes constructing fifteen permanent block and steel homes—five initially followed by ten additional units—for workers who lost everything in the hurricane. This initiative forms part of a larger $500 million social housing program announced in the national budget, with additional support coming from the Tourism Workers Pension Fund for workers lacking employer coverage.
THARP features a transparent digital application system through tef.gov.jm, allowing workers to apply online, select appropriate repair packages, and track their applications in real time. Eligibility extends to tourism workers aged 18-59, including permanent, contract, and self-employed individuals across all sectors—from hotels to craft vending, tour operations, and transportation services.
While covering all parishes, the program will prioritize areas most severely affected by Hurricane Melissa. Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude during the launch ceremony, sharing stories of destroyed roofs, flooded homes, and lost furniture. The initiative operates as a public-private partnership separate from national housing programs, with expectations to eventually assist up to 20,000 tourism workers nationwide.