National Housing Trust: A major part of what drives Jamaica's economy
The National Housing Trust (NHT) has been a tremendous force in the society as it continues its commitment to provide housing solutions for Jamaicans across the island. The trust was established on October 8, 1975, by then Prime Minster Michael Manley. He made the announcement in Parliament, outlining that the savings scheme would assist low-income workers who could not afford to buy residential property or build their own homes.
More than four decades later, the NHT can claim that it has made a significant impact on national life and independent Jamaica. It has transformed the housing sector and the lives of many Jamaicans - especially those belonging to the group it was mandated to prioritise.
According to the trust, within the last 40 years, it has become the largest provider of home loans in Jamaica, assisting more than 180,000 contributors. It has also developed over 80,000 housing solutions and, using an estimate of four persons in each household, has provided shelter for more than 700,000 Jamaicans.
Beyond numbers, the NHT also strives to enhance the quality of the homes it creates as well as the ones it finances. The trust believes that a house is not merely shelter but the basis of a holistic, vibrant community. It provides a sense of ownership, independence and dignity, and empowers the formerly landless and powerless. All this adds up to more than just developmental growth; it creates an independent people who reflect an independent Jamaica.
Senior General Manager for Construction and Development Donald Moore shares that the trust is significant to the economic growth and development of the country.
“Fundamentally, the NHT is a part of what drives the economy. It employs people and puts money in circulation. We try as much as possible to engage local labour. Every community we go into, we expect the contractors to use local labour and facilities. Almost everything that we do is with a focus on Jamaicans,” he told The Gleaner.
In an effort to build housing schemes and develop independent Jamaicans, the NHT employs mainly Jamaican workers so that they can earn and, in turn, be able to purchase one of the houses on the NHT market.
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