JAMAICA: Salt Spring Resident Grateful For New Home

#MontegoBay, May 25, 2021 – When 47-year old Julie Ann “Bubbles” Sterling received word that she was the recipient of a three-bedroom house, courtesy of the Government’s National Social Housing Programme (NSHP), she could not contain her emotions.

The resident of the inner-city community of Salt Spring, St. James, simply started crying and hugging any and everyone in sight… whether friend or stranger, on receiving the happy news.

“I am grateful for this house… based on where I am coming from and where I am at now. I have to give God thanks for everything that has happened over the past months… and the past years. This is so overwhelming… there is not enough words for me to express,” Ms. Sterling told JIS News, while holding back tears.

“It was very rough, very rough. At one point I even dropped through the floor, but God is God and I appreciate what the Prime Minister has done and the Member of Parliament, Heroy Clarke and my Councillor caretaker,” she added.

Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness, handed over the keys of the three-bedroom dwelling, which was constructed at a cost of $9 million, to the family of 10 on May 21.

Ms. Sterling, noted that while she knew her situation, which includes being the caregiver for her sickly 84-year-old mother, two children, sister and five nieces was bad, she was also cognisant that there were other competing applicants with similar problems.

She stated that her neighbours and other community persons have been very supportive, taking joy that her situation has changed for the better.

Resident of Norwood, St. James, Joseph Lloyd, said he has known Ms. Sterling for more than 30 years and that a more deserving recipient “would not be easy to find”.

“Everyone who knows Bubbles… knows that she is a people person and an asset to her community. I am not sure you will find anybody who would have anything bad to say about her or who would think she wasn’t a deserving recipient. She has been through a lot and truly deserves this lucky break,” Mr. Lloyd stated.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness said it is the duty of Ms. Sterling to care for the house.

“I know Julie is very grateful for this… very thankful. The house is free to you…you are not going to pay anything for it, but the house is not free. The house is paid for by taxpayers’ resources, so you have an obligation to take care of the house… to ensure that the surroundings are kept clean… that if anything breaks, you fix it as quickly as possible,” Mr. Holness said.

“The people around you might have similar challenges, but you who would have benefited must carry a positive message to them… you must encourage them… tell them that their day will come,” he added.

The NSHP is being administered by the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme.

The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation has oversight for the NSHP, which is administered by the NSHP Secretariat.

A total of 316 applications have been received from Members of Parliament across the 63 constituencies. Of the 316 received, 224 have been approved by the NSHP’s Project Oversight Committee. 

By: Garwin Davis

Release: JIS

Photo Captions:

Yhomo Hutchinson Photos

Header: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), cuts the ribbon at the handover of a three-bedroom dwelling to Julie Ann Sterling (right), under the National Social Housing Programme in Salt Spring, St. James Central, on May 21. 

1st insert: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), in discussion with Julie Ann Sterling (left), recipient of a $9-million housing solution under the National Social Housing Programme in Salt Spring, St. James Central, on May 21.  The Prime Minister was touring the house with Ms. Sterling after handing over the unit. 

2nd insert: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), in discussion with Julie Ann Sterling (left), recipient of a $9-million housing solution under the National Social Housing Programme in Salt Spring, St. James Central, on May 21.  The Prime Minister was touring the house with Ms. Sterling after handing over the unit.  Sharing the moment at right is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Audrey Sewell.