Strengthening Home and Nation: The Vital Role of Jamaicans Abroad in Supporting the National Housing Trust
The National Housing Trust (NHT) in Jamaica plays a very important role in addressing the country's housing needs, providing affordable solutions for many Jamaicans. For those living overseas, the significance of contributing to the NHT cannot be overstated. By participating in this national initiative, Jamaicans abroad not only secure their future in the land of their birth but also contribute to the economic and social development of the nation. Their involvement ensures that the dream of homeownership remains within reach for countless families, strengthening the bond between the diaspora and their homeland. This article explores the vital importance of these contributions and how they benefit both individual contributors and the wider Jamaican community.
Who Can Contribute?
Jamaicans living in Jamaica as well as Jamaicans overseas. If you are living outside of Jamaica you must be a legal resident of that country (ie. alien registration card. or residency card eg greencard). You register as a voluntary contributor.
Pensioners who would like to contribute to the NHT are allowed to register as Voluntary Contributors.
Benefits
There are several benefits that Voluntary Contributors can reap by contributing to the NHT. The main benefit is the accessing of housing benefits where persons would be eligible for loans to assist in building, buying, repairing or improving homes.
In addition to housing benefits, Contributors are entitled to accessing a refund (with interest) on payments made to the Trust. More information on this benefit is available in their Contributions Refunds section.
Voluntary Contributors may also access Tax Compliance Certification.
If you have never contributed to the NHT, your waiting time to access a benefit upon registering with the NHT is 2 years. However, please note that your monthly contributions must be made on time for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of your loan application. That is, your payments must be made on or before the 14th of the following month. You cannot default on your monthly contribution because this sends a bad message that you will not be reliable with loan repayment.
If you are a previous contributor and you desire to resume making your contributions to the NHT, your waiting time is 1 year i.e. you must pay your monthly contributions on time for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of your loan application. That is, your payments must be made on or before the 14th of the following month. It is not a requirement for you to pay up the first year in a lump sum payment but you can if you desire to do so . However, if you are not a previous contributor to the NHT, you must wait the 2 years before making your loan application.
NHT - OVERSEAS VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTOR
How to Become an Overseas Voluntary Contributor
You must be a permanent resident or a citizen of that country, or the holder of a valid residency card in any country other than Jamaica), you
You ust first register with the NHT. To register, you must complete the “Voluntary Contributor’s Application Form” (correction fluid should NOT be used on the Form).
Register with the Tax Registration Centre to obtain a Taxpayer Registration Number (T.R.N.)
You must complete the National Insrance Scheme registration
Once you have completed the application form you should come in for an interview (if you are unable to attend an interview you will need to submit a letter of authorization for your representative/agent to act on your behalf.
The following documents are required to contribute voluntarily
Valid (not expired) Photo Identification (such as National Identification, Driver's License or Passport)
Initial Monthly Payment- (3% of proposed monthly income stated on application form)
Proof of Overseas Residence- (Permanent Resident Card, Indefinite Card, Passport for Country of Residence)
Proof of Age- (Birth Certificate, Passport or Driver’s Licence)
Photocopies of any of these documents will need to be signed, stamped and dated by a Notary public for overseas residents or Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for local residents.
If you are acting on the behalf of someone as a representative/agent , you will also need to present a letter of authorization, signed, stamped and dated by a Notary Public for overseas residents or Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for local residents.
