KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s government has announced a multi-faceted recovery strategy to address housing devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, with the first shipment of modular homes expected to arrive by February’s end. Education, Skills, Youth and Information Minister Senator Dana Morris Dixon confirmed the timeline during Wednesday’s post-Cabinet briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister.
The modular housing initiative represents a critical component of the broader Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), which encompasses six distinct government-led efforts. The National Housing Trust (NHT) is spearheading the acquisition of approximately 5,000 modular units to meet urgent accommodation needs across affected regions.
Concurrent with housing delivery, the government has deployed Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) personnel alongside international teams from partner nations including Guyana and Ghana to execute reconstruction projects in the most severely impacted parishes. This collaborative approach combines local knowledge with global expertise in disaster recovery.
A particularly innovative aspect of the SRP involves the BRIDGE program (Building Resilience and Inspiring Development through Guided Experience), administered through the HEART/NSTA Trust. This initiative recruits unemployed youth from hurricane-damaged communities for intensive construction training programs. Participants will subsequently work alongside JDF soldiers and international teams, gaining practical experience while contributing to rebuilding efforts.
Minister Morris Dixon emphasized the dual benefit of this approach: “We’re not just rebuilding homes; we’re creating transformative opportunities for young people to acquire trade skills, experience international best practices, and fundamentally redirect their career trajectories. This represents both immediate disaster response and long-term workforce development.”