National Housing Trust (NHT) mortgagors in parishes hard-hit by Hurricane Melissa are to get a reprieve from mortgage payments.
Speaking in the House of Representatives today, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said an automatic six-month moratorium will be given to mortgagors in Westmoreland, St James, Hanover, Trelawny, St Elizabeth, Manchester, and St Ann.
Holness said the measure will benefit about 20,000 mortgagors.
“I wish to remind the public that all NHT mortgagers are insured under the trust’s house owners comprehensive policy, which covers damage from hurricane, storm, floods, fire and other perils. The NHT has already mobilised its branches islandwide to help mortgagers prepare and process their insurance claims quickly and efficiently.”
He further said that the NHT will consider individual applications from homeowners in other parishes.
The NHT will also offer a $3.5 million home improvement loan to homeowners.
In addition, a special grant of up to $500,000 will be available to NHT contributors to allow them to repair damage to their homes or the homes of immediate family members.
Meanwhile, Holness announced a building support programme for households in the parishes worst affected by the hurricane.
“Across the island, our first priority has been to deliver food, water and medical support to every affected community. But we know that beyond these essentials, the greatest need is now shelter. Too many of our brothers and sisters have lost the very roofs over their heads. To address this urgent need, I am announcing a building support programme for households,” said Holness, stressing that it will be driven by Members of Parliament.
He said $10 million will go to each constituency in Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St James, Hanover, and Trelawny.
Constituencies in St Ann and Clarendon will get $5 million.
A sum of $3 million will go to the other constituencies.
“I think it is a fair distribution based upon everything that we have to go through,” said Holness.
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