Food For The Poor Jamaica, which has built over 36,000 homes islandwide since inception, has recently introduced redesigned and upgraded housing units, with a number of additional features.

The homes have brought much-needed relief and a sense of renewal to several persons, including former national footballer Miguel Blair, who ended years of living in unacceptable conditions on a family plot in the Rae Town area of Kingston, with the recent completion and presentation of his new home.

The newly designed single-storey dwellings are more than 100 square feet larger than the previous houses. The new units feature a reinforced concrete foundation, timber-framed superstructure with T1-11 plywood cladding, and timber-framed gabled roofs with corrugated metal sheeting. Behind the flush panel doors, the new units have concrete and timber cupboard kitchen units equipped with a single sink and faucet.

In the bathrooms, there are porcelain face basins, each with a faucet, as well as a curbless shower (a shower with no barriers for entry or exit, to accommodate persons with disabilities). As with the prior units, each of the new units feature an open concept living, dining and kitchen area, and includes a loft with ladder access as well as 300-gallon septic tanks, 200-gallon water tanks, and mini solar panel lighting systems. The new structures also include gutters to facilitate water harvesting.

In explaining the upgrade, Marsha Burrell-Rose, Food For The Poor development and marketing manager, noted that the organisation was continually seeking, with the help of its donors, to provide a better experience and improved quality of life for as many persons as possible.

“To be able to see persons, especially single-parent families, that have such a burden to shoulder, be given a home and the dignity and sense of renewal that comes with it, is a source of great joy for us. We want to thank all our partners that have helped us to provide shelter for the needy and for the positive impact this work is undoubtedly having.”

Burrell-Rose noted that there are specific requirements to acquire a Food For The Poor housing unit. These requirements include the submission of the following documents:

Letter Stating Living Condition: A letter written by a Pastor or JP detailing your current living situation. Must be stamped and signed respectively.

The Land History Letter: The land history must begin with the original Landowner. This letter should be done if the original landowner/owners are deceased.

Permission letter: Permission must be in writing from a person/persons who have ties to the land through purchase or inheritance. The letter should include their consent, name and signature and must be stamped and signed by a JP; a copy of will and title, if any; a copy of landowner’s ID and contact number and an updated tax receipt. For further information on how to apply and details on the specific requirements, persons may visit the charity’s website at www.foodforthepoorja.org.