NHT Grants Six-Month Mortgage Moratorium to 20,000 Homeowners as MPs Get Rebuilding Funds

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Roughly 20,000 National Housing Trust (NHT) mortgagors will not have to make loan payments for the next six months under relief measures announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in response to Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking in the House of Representatives on November 4, the Prime Minister said the greatest need now is shelter, as too many Jamaicans have lost the roofs over their heads. The Jamaica Information Service reported the details the following day.

Automatic relief for seven parishes

The moratorium applies automatically to NHT mortgagors in St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, Trelawny, St James, Manchester and St Ann. Borrowers in other parishes who were affected may still apply individually.

The Trust is also offering home improvement loans of up to $3.5 million at two per cent interest to mortgagors and contributors, and grants of up to $500,000 to help contributors repair damaged homes. Insured properties are covered under the NHT’s comprehensive policy.

Building support through MPs

A separate Building Support Programme will channel funds to affected households through Members of Parliament. Constituencies in the hardest-hit parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St James and Trelawny will each receive $10 million. Those in the moderately affected parishes of St Ann, Manchester and Clarendon will receive $5 million each, and constituencies elsewhere $3 million. An additional $1.5 million per constituency has been set aside for emergency food and medicine.

What it means for homeowners

The pause frees up cash for immediate repairs, but it is a deferral rather than a write-off, so borrowers should confirm with the NHT how deferred payments and interest will be treated once the moratorium ends. Homeowners with damaged properties should document the damage with photographs, file insurance claims early and compare the low-interest loan and grant options before committing to repairs. Those with mortgages from commercial lenders should contact their bank directly, as the NHT measures apply only to Trust borrowers.