Series of Activities to Commemorate NHT’s 50th Anniversary

The National Housing Trust (NHT) will mark its 50th anniversary this year with a series of activities, beginning April 19.

The celebrations will commence with a church service on Sunday, April 19, at Webster Memorial United Church.

A second service is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, at the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in St. James.

Assistant General Manager for Human Capital Management at the NHT, Donnetta Russell, said the milestone is being observed under the theme ‘Building Communities, Housing Generations’.

“This reflects what we do. We are not just putting down physical structures; we are building communities, strengthening families, and reinforcing the social fabric of Jamaica,” Ms. Russell told JIS News.

She noted that the commemorative activities will highlight the agency’s legacy of providing housing solutions while fostering community development across the island.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the NHT will award 50 construction-related scholarships to students pursuing studies in fields such as engineering, architecture, and construction management.

“That is one way of securing talent for the future, particularly in areas aligned with our core operations in construction and housing development,” Ms. Russell said.

A staff dinner will be held later in the year to recognise employees for their years of service.

Several publications will also be produced, including a 50th anniversary commemorative book detailing the organisation’s history, to be launched in September 2026.

In addition, a newspaper supplement will be published in June.

The Trust will engage customers during its annual Customer Appreciation Week in October, with special activities to mark the milestone.

As part of a legacy project, the NHT will develop a new public park in Kingston on land adjacent to King’s House.

The facility is expected to provide additional green space for residents in the Corporate Area.

A similar development is also being considered for Mandeville.

Ms. Russell added that the organisation will undertake community-based initiatives, enhance visual displays across its parish offices to showcase its history, and roll out an anniversary song to reinforce the commemorative theme.

Members of the public are encouraged to participate in the activities, including the upcoming church service, which will be broadcast live on Radio Jamaica.

Updates on anniversary events will be shared across the NHT’s traditional and digital platforms throughout the year.