KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Housing Trust (NHT) has expanded the range of documents it will accept to verify identity and property ownership for individuals seeking assistance under its Hurricane Melissa relief initiatives.

Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Dwayne Berbick, noted that, in addition to traditional proof, the NHT will now accept property tax records, land diagrams, and notarised declarations from a justice of the peace (JP) confirming the history and undisturbed occupancy of the land.

Additionally, the NHT’s internal contributor database will be utilised to support identification verification where possible, thereby reducing delays for individuals who may have lost key documents during the hurricane.

Berbick said this flexible approach draws on lessons from last year’s post‑Hurricane Beryl recovery.

“We are appreciative of the realities of individuals, especially those in the most affected parishes, and the long-standing challenges of land tenure and titling issues that some persons have,” he stated while addressing a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ in Kingston.

The NHT has implemented a comprehensive set of disaster‑response measures to assist contributors and mortgagors whose homes or livelihoods were impacted by the recent hurricane.

These include a hurricane relief loan of up to $3.5 million for homeowners, a special disaster grant of up to $500,000, and a six‑month moratorium on mortgage payments. Individuals who suffered damage may also file peril insurance claims.

Meanwhile, Berbick advised that the NHT is in discussions with other government entities to facilitate access to replacement documents. He noted that agencies, such as the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), have already waived fees for ID card replacements.

He emphasised that NHT teams islandwide have been directed to apply this flexible framework when assisting contributors and mortgagors.

“The aim is to ensure a smoother process and provide the most responsive support possible at this time,” he said.

The enhanced verification measures form part of the NHT’s ongoing commitment to supporting Jamaicans rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa.

Individuals are urged to visit the NHT’s website at www.nht.gov.jm/recover to access application resources and guidance on the disaster‑relief initiatives.

–          JIS