KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant policy shift to accelerate disaster recovery, Jamaica’s National Housing Trust (NHT) has substantially broadened its documentation requirements for citizens applying for Hurricane Melissa relief assistance. The government agency announced it will now accept alternative forms of verification beyond traditional documents to address the widespread loss of critical paperwork during the recent catastrophic storm.
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Assistant General Manager Dwayne Berbick detailed the expanded acceptable documentation, which now includes property tax records, surveyed land diagrams, and formally notarized declarations from justices of the peace. These sworn affidavits can confirm both historical land ownership and uninterrupted occupancy, providing alternative pathways for verification when standard documents are unavailable.
The NHT is additionally leveraging its comprehensive internal contributor database to cross-reference and validate applicant information, creating an additional layer of verification that reduces dependency on physical documentation. This integrated approach aims to significantly streamline the application process for affected homeowners and mortgage holders.
Berbick explained that this adaptive strategy incorporates crucial lessons learned during the previous hurricane season’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl. ‘We remain acutely aware of the practical challenges facing individuals, particularly residents in the most severely impacted parishes, and the persistent issues surrounding land tenure and formal titling that predate this disaster,’ Berbick stated during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) briefing.
The revised verification protocols complement the NHT’s comprehensive disaster response package, which includes hurricane relief loans extending to J$3.5 million, special disaster grants reaching J$500,000, and an automatic six-month mortgage payment moratorium for qualified applicants. Additionally, the agency is processing peril insurance claims for property damage sustained during the hurricane.
In a coordinated government effort, the NHT is collaborating with other agencies to facilitate document replacement services. The Electoral Office of Jamaica has already implemented fee waivers for national identification card replacements, demonstrating inter-agency cooperation in the recovery process.
Berbick confirmed that all NHT offices across Jamaica have received directives to implement these flexible verification measures consistently, ensuring uniform application of the new guidelines. ‘Our fundamental objective is to create a more efficient process and deliver the most responsive support possible during this critical recovery period,’ he emphasized.
The enhanced verification system represents part of the NHT’s ongoing commitment to supporting Jamaican citizens as they rebuild their homes and communities in Hurricane Melissa’s aftermath. Affected individuals are encouraged to access application resources and detailed guidance on disaster-relief initiatives through the NHT’s dedicated recovery portal at www.nht.gov.jm/recover.