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Westmoreland resident Geneve McCulloh had a solar system installed at her house in February and the impact was immediate and profound.

"When I got my first bill it was $193, I was in shock. I have never seen a bill that low in my life," she said.

The 71-year-old was among the retirees to have benefited from SMART Energy Grants from the National Housing Trust (NHT).

The SMART Energy Grant is part of the NHT's growing investment in climate resilience and energy security. Initially launched in 2024, the programme expanded in 2025 to include both public and private sector pensioners. Its primary aim is to make clean energy accessible to retirees who may otherwise be unable to afford it.

Last Friday, gratitude filled the air as 10 pensioners from Westmoreland were officially presented with SMART Energy Grants by the NHT. The heart-warming presentation took place during the ground-breaking ceremony for Chantilly Gardens in Savanna-la-Mar.

McCulloh said she was equally moved when she learnt that the grant came with no strings attached.

"When I heard that I didn't have to pay back one red cent, me shock," she said.

"Last year, I wanted to apply but was discouraged because I thought I couldn't afford the upfront cost. This year, I was prepared to ask for an instalment plan. But then they told me I didn't have to pay a thing."

Each retiree received a grant valued at up to $1.5 million, enabling them to install solar energy systems in their homes - a life-changing gift that promises to slash electricity bills and improve their quality of life.

For Carmen Foster, a retired healthcare worker who dedicated over 35 years to serving her community, the grant felt nothing short of divine intervention.

"Mi glad bag buss! Mi glad, mi glad, mi glad! This feels like a miracle," she said, beaming.

"When I saw a relative install solar at her home, I felt discouraged because I thought I'd never be able to afford it. But today, I feel so accomplished. In retirement, you can feel invisible. But this makes me feel seen," Foster added, fighting back tears.

She applied for the grant after a friend encouraged her to take a chance.

"I thought I had nothing to lose and I gained everything, this is a dream come true," she declared.

The NHT is set to provide the grant to 420 retirees across Jamaica, averaging 30 recipients per parish.