Displaced Cooper’s Pen residents receive humanitarian grants

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government has begun providing relocation assistance to vulnerable residents displaced during the eviction exercise at Cooper’s Pen, with 19 humanitarian grants valued at $9.9 million distributed to affected families. The grants were issued on Saturday, September 19, by Minister with responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, Robert Montague, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Arlene Williams, as part of a wider, whole-of-government intervention directed by the prime minister following his visit to the community last month. The assistance, ranging from $200,000 to $800,000 per family, is being provided to some of the most vulnerable residents who have been displaced and, in some cases, have been living in emergency tents supplied by the Government since August 12, 2026. During the handover ceremony, officials reiterated the Government’s position on the relocation exercise and reminded residents of the November 30, 2026 deadline for the evacuation of the site. Minister Montague told residents that the funds being provided represent support from Jamaican taxpayers. “The cheque is not a Government cheque. It is the taxpayers of Jamaica’s cheque,” Montague said. “You who pay your taxes, and taxpayers from all over the country, have provided this assistance.” Williams also clarified that the Government does not own the property and was not responsible for the eviction or demolition that resulted in residents being displaced. “I want it to be very clear that the Government does not own this property and the Government has nothing to do with the eviction,” the permanent secretary said. Under the terms issued by the property owners, residents remaining on the site are required to leave by November 30, 2026, while those currently occupying tents were required to relocate immediately. A multi-sector team comprising representatives from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, the Social Development Commission (SDC), HEART/NSTA Trust, the National Housing Trust (NHT), and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has been working with affected residents to provide social support. The intervention included assistance with obtaining taxpayer registration numbers (TRNs) and national identification documents. Officials noted that several households did not have formal identification documents or bank accounts. To support beneficiaries without banking arrangements, the ministry facilitated a three-day arrangement with a commercial bank to allow residents to cash their cheques. For residents who remain at Cooper’s Pen ahead of the November 30 deadline, the Government is advancing a longer-term resettlement option involving the subdivision of nearby lands. Eligible residents will have the opportunity to purchase lots and transition into formal property ownership. Williams emphasised that the lots will not be provided free of charge. “Nothing is free and we note that some of you are gainfully employed, and so we you can enter into arrangements to buy the lots,” she said. The Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, in partnership with the Social Development Commission, is scheduled to return to the community next week to assess remaining residents and assist with the finalisation of the resettlement process ahead of the deadline.