The National Housing Trust (NHT) has witnessed an unprecedented surge in applications on the opening day of its three-day registration period for the Vineyard Town and Howard Avenue apartment projects. This overwhelming response underscores the pressing demand for affordable housing in Jamaica’s Corporate Area. According to Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the NHT, the Vineyard Town development received over 2,100 applications, while the Howard Avenue project attracted more than 2,600 submissions on the first day alone. Berbick described the turnout as “definitely above expectations,” attributing the high interest to the urban nature of the projects. He emphasized that the NHT is actively working to address the housing shortage by planning to construct 43,000 starter homes across Jamaica. The Howard Avenue apartments, priced at $9.9 million and spanning 300 square feet, are tailored for low-income earners, with 20% of the 245 units reserved for applicants aged 36 and under. Similarly, the Vineyard Town studio apartments, priced at $15 million and covering 430 square feet, are designed to help young adults enter the housing market. Berbick highlighted the flexibility of the new initiative, which allows homeowners to sell their units back to the NHT after five years, enabling them to upgrade or access non-homeowners’ loans. Despite the oversubscription, Berbick anticipates further applications in the coming days, humorously noting Jamaicans’ tendency to act at the last minute.