Recently, the National Housing Trust (NHT) invited contributors to apply for 33 apartments and townhouses at Unions Estate at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine. ‘Paulette’ and her husband ‘Simon’ were among those short-listed for loan interviews. However, their friend ‘Maxine’, who had also applied for an apartment, was not so fortunate. “I’m glad for them,” Maxine says, “but I still want to know how NHT selects people from all the numbers who apply. I want to have an idea of why I didn’t get through.”
The following are the bases on which the NHT short-lists applicants for scheme benefits.
WHERE YOU LIVE OR WORK
“There is a high demand for scheme units.” says Joyce Simms Wilson, NHT’s Assistant General Manager, Branch Network. “Because we have a lot more applicants than units, the NHT has a strict selection process.” According to Mrs. Wilson, when the applications are received, they are first sorted to ensure that only applicants living or working in the target area are placed in the main selection pool. In the case of Union Estate, persons living in Kingston, St. Andrew and parts of St. Catherine were eligible to apply.
HOW MUCH YOU EARN
“Once we are sure everybody is from the geographical area covered by the scheme, we will then award points to each applicant based on his/her income”, Mrs. Wilson says. The points range from 70 to 110. She points out that because part of NHT’s mandate is to facilitate housing among lower incomes persons, the NHT gives minimum-wage earners a jump start by automatically granting them 110 points for income. This contrasts with someone who earns over $20,000 per week, who will get just 70 points for income.
NUMBER OF WEEKLY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NHT
Applicants are also awarded points based on the number of weekly contributions they make to the Trust. Twenty points are awarded for each full year (52 weeks) of contributions. So, for example, an applicant who has 15 full years of NHT contributions will get 300 points for contributions (15×20).
CALCULATING YOUR POINTS
The following example shows how many points a contributor earning $20,000 weekly and who has made 20 years contributions to the NHT, would have when he applied for Unions Estate:
Points earned from income = 70
Points earned from 25 years of contributions = 500 (i.e. 25×20)
Total points earned = 570
Once the points of individual applicants are assigned, the NHT selects those applicants with the highest number and invites them in for interviews.
AFTER SELECTION IS MADE
Mrs. Wilson states that having your name appear on the selections list in the newspaper, does not mean that you will be automatically awarded a loan to buy one of the advertised houses. Publishing the list simply means that the NHT would like to talk with the applicant to determine if he/she meets all the qualifying conditions for the loan, including the ability to afford the loan.
“There is always some disappointment after the listing is published.” Mrs. Wilson says, “But I want to assure prospective homeowners that the NHT is stepping up its housing programme. Unions Estate is being developed in three phases, so our contributors can expect to see more units on the market in 2010.” While m0st will go to other partners in the joint development, the NHT expects to market a significant number among its contributors. She therefore encourages contributors to keep applying when schemes are available, but adds that they should also find out about the other available NHT home ownership products.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:26 am
How can I be qualified for the Houses in Twickenham Park
March 29th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
I live and work in Spanish Town and is interested in acquiring one of the apartments at Union Estate Twickenham. What are the requirements for obtaining one?
April 21st, 2010 at 7:41 am
I live and work in montego bay and iam interrested in getting a house .
Please email me your requirements! Thank you!
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:07 pm
I live in England and have been paying my NHT contributions for 4 years. My partner is in the Jamaica Defence Focre and his contributions come of salary, we want to combine together and be put forward for one of the scheme houses in Twickenham Park.
How would we go about that? Please email me with your requirements.
April 28th, 2010 at 11:06 am
I live in St.Mary and i am interest in getting a house in St. Mary
for example Hampstead, Port Maria, Trinity or Sandside
May 15th, 2010 at 9:27 am
i am not a contributer but i want to start contributing if i pay up everything in ful how long will it take to qualify for a loan
June 7th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I live in Kingston and would like further information on the Twickenham Park developments. What are the requirements?
July 12th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
i would like to get one of those townhouses in Port-more,, Im living in NY and Would like to know how i go about doing this??
July 21st, 2010 at 10:55 am
i am interested in purchasing one of the homes offered by the nht. i have seen the projects on the website but i need to know what is the cost
September 15th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I am interested in purchasing a home from NHT. What is the minimum number of years you have to be working to be considered on any list? I know already that you have to be working for a year and contributing for the same amount…
Would 14 yrs be a long enough time to be considered?
September 25th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
When is nht going to cater for single females single people want to own houses too
October 1st, 2010 at 7:24 am
IS THERE ANY NEW DEV.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I would like to know what the NHT is doing for earlychild teacher, some of us pay $16000 and over for rent, it would be good if that was morgage in the end the house would be ours. We need a start. HELP US
November 4th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
MORE HOUSING SHOULD BE AVAILIBLE BY THE NHT.
November 5th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
i would like to know if myself and spouse is qualified for a house through our monthly contribution
November 11th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
how can i be qualified for a house through NHT? i need to purchase one of those units it old harbour. email me the details. thank you.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Hi, i would like to know how long dose it take to process a loan to buy
(land )
November 20th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
i am living in cornwall next door rhyne park and am working at the hilton hote.i would like to know the requirement to take out a house or loan to buy a house.thank you
November 20th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
i am contributing only for one year now but am very young leave school 2008
November 20th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
i am living in Cornwall next door rhyme park and am working at the Hilton hotel.i would like to know the requirement to take out a house or loan to buy a house.thank you
November 21st, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I am a Deaf. I was shocked to know that Unions Estate at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine had a deadline. I would like apply for a unit. Please let me know if you have any available unit within this region.
Thank you for your usual cooperation and support
November 21st, 2010 at 5:18 pm
I would like to know if your earning 20 thousand weekly and contributing for 3 years is there any chance you will b selected for a scheme house?
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
i am 29 and i would like a house in the st anns area how can the nht help me
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
how can i get a house with the nht
December 28th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
how can i get a home with nht a
February 9th, 2011 at 9:47 am
Good Day i am 25yrs old and i have been making NHT contributions since 2003 through the organization that i am presently working with, i however, at this time, will like to ascertain information on how i can proceed in obtaining a home and what is presently available to young individuals such as myself.
Your prompt response would be greatly appreciated.
February 28th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
I need a house, how can I get one? I have been contributing for six yeaars.
March 18th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Good day i am 22 yrs and have been living abroad for the past 2 years and working, i have not been making any contributions whats so ever due to the fact that i did not no,however i would like to no how i going about seeking a home for my mom who is presently living in jamaica.
i will be waiting for you request ,thank you
May 15th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
I am a contributor I live overseas I am interested in buying a house I would like to know what is the best and the fastest way in preparing to get the loan in a timely fashion so as not to miss out on a great deal.As well as how to know how much you are qualified for.Is there any preperation process? please e-mail me with the answers than you.
July 1st, 2011 at 8:15 pm
I am not jamaican but my husband it is, i am living and working in jamaica for 6 years and my husband and I are planing to buy a house in discovery bay
What we need to do?
i will be waiting for you request ,thank you
July 11th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
I wish I could afford one of those low income houses. Paying rent has become so expensive.
August 13th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
i want to know what are the reguirements in obtain a nht house
August 13th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
I have been a contributer for the past 20 years or more,I would like to know at my age i am still eligible for a loan to purchase a home,and what are the requirement for obtain one.
August 30th, 2011 at 8:11 am
WHEN WILL NHT BUILT SOME HOUSES IN MONTEGO BAY,,,I NEED A HOUSE FOR MYSELF SO THAT I CAN STOP PAYING RENT AND PAY FOR MY OWN PLACE…
September 19th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
I’m very much interested in buying a house but being a only parent of two it looks impossible judging from my monthly salary. Anyway even if I can’t buy a house I need NHT’s help in buying a lot how can I go about doing this.
October 12th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
I’m 29yrs old and I’m contributing for six years now and I can also find $ 800,000 in deposit,am asking you plese if you could help me with a NHT house in st catherine or in Longsvill.
October 12th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
I need to own a house, what is the first step in getting one from the NHT.