Phillips Says PNP Gov’t Will Make NHT Benefits More Accessible

By: Admin

Image caption: President of the People's National Party Dr Peter Phillips speaking in Gregory Park, Portmore, St Catherine on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Seeking to impress voters with policy ideas, the People's National Party (PNP) is promising changes to the National Housing Trust (NHT) in order to enable more Jamaicans to realise their dream of homeownership.

Party president Dr Peter Phillips, speaking in Gregory Park, St Catherine, on Friday, said that the NHT is "like a partner draw, and if yuh throw yuh hand yuh must get a draw".

He said, "All who contribute to the housing trust must get a chance to own a home."

Phillips did not give details of the policy changes that his administration would implement at the NHT, an organisation that has been heavily criticised by contributors who have found it difficult to own homes.

Phillips conceded that the issues at the NHT did not start with the Jamaica Labour Party Government, but said a government led by him would ensure that the organisation works for contributors. 

"Our position is that everyone inna Jamaica should have a chance to own dem house and land and have dem own front door key, and that is a commitment that I make,” Phillips said.

The NHT has a loan ceiling of $6.5 million.

The trust also offers facilities such as intergenerational mortgages that allow for flexibility in how a family member can support a relative in the acquisition of a NHT property.

In this case, it is intended that a younger sibling or child will assume the mortgage obligation, subject to affordability, when the older mortgagor retires or dies.

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