NHT Provides Comprehensive Updates on Disaster Relief Initiatives for Hurricane Melissa Recovery
At yesterday’s Special Hurricane Melissa Recovery Press Briefing, the National Housing Trust (NHT), an agency of the Office of the Prime Minister, provided an update on a comprehensive package of disaster relief initiatives to support Jamaicans whose homes and livelihoods were affected by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.
In keeping with the Prime Minister’s national recovery directive, the NHT’s measures are designed to provide rapid shelter solutions, facilitate home repairs, ease financial pressures on mortgagors, and help contributors rebuild stronger, more resilient homes.
The initiatives include:
- Moratorium on NHT Mortgages
- Rapid Deployment Housing Initiative
- Peril insurance claims under the Homeowners’ Comprehensive Policy
- Hurricane Relief Loan (Special Home Improvement Loan)
- Disaster Relief Grant
Moratorium on NHT Mortgages
To ease immediate financial pressures on affected households, the NHT is implementing a temporary suspension of mortgage payments for qualifying mortgagors whose income or properties have been adversely affected by Hurricane Melissa. This moratorium covers all components of the mortgage (principal, interest and Insurance).
An automatic six-month moratorium, from November 2025 to April 2026, will apply to eligible mortgagors in the seven worst-affected parishes (St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St James, Trelawny and St Ann) and other designated heavily impacted areas as determined by NHT assessments.
Mortgagors covered by the automatic moratorium may still choose to continue making payments during the period if they wish. Any extensions beyond the initial six months will be considered on a case-by-case basis. This moratorium will also be offered to mortgagors in other parishes on a case-by-case basis.
Rapid Deployment Housing Initiative
The NHT is procuring 5,000 modular housing units as a quick, affordable and resilient housing solution for affected families. These units are two-bedroom homes with bathroom, kitchen and living area. Each unit is approximately 400 square feet in size and they will come complete with UPVC glazed windows, metal doors, electrical wiring and flooring. Importantly, these units are built with Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) prefabricated sandwich panels, designed for energy efficiency and resistance to earthquakes, fire, hurricanes and heat.
To support occupancy, the NHT will also construct concrete foundations (including required reinforcement), provide water supply and waste disposal infrastructure. The NHT will also develop serviced lots on NHT-owned lands in Hanover, St Elizabeth, Trelawny, St James and Westmoreland, with negotiations ongoing for additional lands.
The NHT has begun procurement of the first tranche of 2500 units.
Units will be available for sale or lease to qualified NHT contributors. Solutions will also be available free of cost through GOJ social housing initiatives.
Peril Insurance Under the Homeowners’ Comprehensive Policy
All NHT mortgagors who service their mortgages directly at the NHT can benefit from the Trust’s Homeowners’ Comprehensive Policy, which covers:
- Hurricane, windstorm and flood damage
- Fire and other named perils
- Additional risks such as bursting of pipes and damage from overflowing water tanks, among others
NHT mortgagors whose properties suffered damage from Hurricane Melissa may submit an insurance claim at any NHT office islandwide or via the NHT Online customer portal (online.nht.gov.jm). The deadline for insurance claims is January 15, 2026.
Hurricane Relief Loan – Special Home Improvement Loan
To support repair and strengthening of damaged homes, the NHT will offer a special home improvement loan to existing NHT mortgagors, homeowners and NHT contributors.
The facility may be used to carry out critical repairs, reinforce roofs and structures, improve resilience (e.g., stronger roofing, hurricane shutters, etc.) and supplement insurance payouts where needed.
Key loan terms:
- Maximum amount: JMD $3.5 million per collateral. Co-applicants are allowed, but the combined maximum remains $3.5 million per collateral
- Interest rate: 2% per annum (fixed), plus a 2% service charge
- Tenure: up to 20 years or up to age 70, whichever comes first
- Moratorium: up to six (6) months on repayments
Disaster Relief Grant
The Disaster Relief Grant provides direct financial assistance to contributors and other groups who suffered property damage due to Hurricane Melissa. The maximum grant amount is JMD $500,000 per collateral. Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements will be published on the NHT’s website and at all NHT offices.
“After the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, our first responsibility as Government is to restore dignity, security and hope to our people. I instructed the National Housing Trust to move with urgency and compassion in drafting a relief programme. I am pleased with the housing initiatives we have announced. Our mission is to provide credible financial assistance to those hardest hit. The suspension of payments will bring financial stability to many families during this difficult period. We are rapidly advancing the deployment of modular homes to those in need. We have crafted solutions that meet our people where they are. Through these initiatives, the government will help families across Jamaica rebuild with dignity.”
The NHT encourages all affected contributors and mortgagors to contact the Trust, explore the options available, and work with the NHT to rebuild safer, stronger, and more resilient communities after Hurricane Melissa.