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Persons whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Sandy could start receiving assistance vouchers of $60,000 and $30,000 as early as next week.

Making the announcement at the weekly Jamaica House press briefing, held at the Office of the Prime Minister on November 7, Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer said the funds are now being identified.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller announced in the House of Representatives on November 6 that the $30,000 vouchers will be provided to persons whose homes suffered minor damage, while the $60,000 vouchers will be provided to persons whose houses were severely damaged.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has assessed that some 4,000 homes have been damaged with varying degrees of severity, as a result of the hurricane.

Meanwhile, Senator Falconer said the construction of houses for the worst-affected would “take some time”, as land has to be identified for persons who do not own their own property.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller had also announced that under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP)/Food for the Poor housing project, adjustments would be made to assist those who lost their homes as a result of the hurricane.