KINGSTON, Jamaica—In the wake of the devastating Hurricane Melissa, the National Housing Trust (NHT) is urging contributors and mortgagors to seek assistance as they navigate the challenging path to recovery. Shara Luke Cooper, Manager for Customer Relations Management at the NHT, emphasized the organization’s commitment to alleviating the emotional and financial burdens faced by affected families nearly a month after the category five hurricane struck. Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on November 25, Luke Cooper encouraged individuals to take a moment to regroup and then reach out for support. ‘We understand the circumstances, and we want these persons to take some time to breathe then reach out to us. We can hold their hand through this recovery process,’ she stated. To facilitate this, NHT teams are actively visiting communities, enabling individuals to engage directly with staff, ask questions, and receive personalized guidance. The NHT has rolled out a series of disaster-response measures tailored to assist those whose homes or livelihoods have been impacted. These include a Hurricane Relief Loan offering up to $3.5 million, a Special Disaster Grant of up to $500,000, and a six-month Moratorium on Mortgage Payments. Additionally, individuals can file peril insurance claims for damages sustained. Luke Cooper also directed affected individuals to the NHT’s website, www.nht.gov.jm/recover, for comprehensive resources and application guidance. She highlighted that Jamaicans can assist neighbors and relatives in submitting applications if they are unable to do so themselves. Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, underscored the inclusivity of the NHT’s initiatives, which are designed to benefit a broad spectrum of individuals, including current contributors, mortgagors, former mortgagors, and pensioners. ‘And if for any reason they’re in a niche area and feel that none of these initiatives are somehow reaching them, [we want them] to reach out to us and let us know the kind of support that we can provide,’ Berbick told JIS News. He reiterated the NHT’s flexibility in adjusting processes and requirements to ensure that all Jamaicans receive the necessary support to recover effectively as the nation rebuilds in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.