Many ex-pats once contributed to the Trust and being away from Jamaica does not stop them from continuing to do so.

They simply have to change their category to a volunteer contributor and declare their monthly income. The Trust will determine how much each person should pay.

After 52 weeks, contributors could qualify for a loan of up to $1.5 million individually and $3 million jointly.

Often cited as the only government organization in Jamaica that manages itself effectively, for more than thirty years now the Jamaica NHT has been giving those who otherwise could not have afforded to own a house the opportunity to do so.

And a recent Cabinet decision has made it even more affordable by reducing the already low interest rate.

The Trust plans to build 13,000 new homes between now and 2007 with over 6,000 finishing between this year and next year. These new houses will consist of two-bedrooms and serviced lots in both NHT financed and developed housing schemes. The developments are taking place in Ironshore in St. James, Hellshire in St. Catherine, Highgate in St. Mary and Perth in Manchester.

In addition to that Prime Minister PJ Patterson in his contribution to the 2005/06 budget debate in April said the Trust, in a move to complement the development taking place within the tourism sector, has also embarked on a programme that would include 2,100 new housing solutions being developed within the tourism belt to provide accommodation for hotel workers.

Also in St. Catherine and Westmoreland, four schemes are being developed totaling 793 units to satisfy the needs in those communities.

During the 2004/05 financial year, the NHT spent $5.7 billion to provide housing for first time home-owners.

People living overseas can become a voluntary contributor to the Trust. The first move is to register with the Trust by simply completing the NHT’s Declaration of Income (overseas) form and self-employed questionnaire available at the NHT office or online. Forms must be signed and stamped by a notary public.

The form must be accompanied with an NIS card and a TRN, evidence of monthly earnings, official ID and one passport size picture. Copies of them can also be submitted but have to be notarized. To have someone represent you for the interview, you must furnish him or her with a letter of authorization signed, stamped and dated by a notary public.

Once you have been registered there are various ways to make payments. From Cayman, it can be done through the Cayman National Building Society. Payment must be made by the 14th day of the month and on time to ensure good standing with the Trust, which will go a long way in securing a loan. A 20 percent interest will be charged to you each
year for late payments.

Apart from obeying the law, you stand to benefit in a number of ways when you make NHT contributions, including accessing any of the home loans offered by the NHT, once you meet the NHT’s qualifying requirement as well as reclaiming contributions with interest, or have them credited to your mortgage account if you have a loan.