NHT Urges Diasporans to ‘Come Build With Us’

The National Housing Trust (NHT) is inviting diasporans to contribute to and invest in Jamaica’s housing sector under its ‘Come Build With Us’ initiative.

Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the NHT, Dwayne Berbick, provided details during the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James on Monday (June 17).

NHT is part of the Government-at-Your-Service (GOVAYS)/Marketplace feature of the conference.

“Our theme for this conference is ‘Come Build With Us’ and we know whether you’re at home, whether you’re in the diaspora, Jamaica is always home,” he said.

“We all want to own a piece of the rock, and so the NHT here at the diaspora conference is demonstrating to our diasporans that they, too, can become contributors of the NHT and they, too, can become homeowners right here in Jamaica,” Mr. Berbick said.

The new registration procedure, streamlined to a single form, marks a significant departure from previous methods, offering a faster and more efficient process.

“If you are a first-time contributor to the NHT or perhaps you contributed before leaving Jamaica, we will be able to do registration for you right here in our booth,” Mr. Berbick said.

“Moving from five, 10 forms many years ago to just having one form that you can fill out… we can start your registration process and advise you as to when you can start making those payments. Once you make those payments you become registered as a voluntary contributor,” he informed.

By becoming a voluntary contributor, and continuing to make payments, diasporans can commence their journey towards accessing NHT benefits within a year or maximum two years for first-time contributors.

“We will give you all the information you need, whether you are looking to buy property or you already have property and are looking to build or improve on it,” he said.

Mr. Berbick noted that the NHT is also looking to forge partnerships with the diaspora to provide affordable housing solutions.

The NHT is mandated to contribute to increasing and enhancing the stock of available housing in Jamaica.

This is achieved primarily through the provision of mortgages to contributors who are building or purchasing housing solutions from the NHT or on the open market.

The agency remains dedicated to supporting diasporans’ aspirations to invest in sustainable housing solutions and community development.