NHT Urges Overseas Jamaicans to Explore Housing Sector Investment Beyond Home Purchase

Overseas Jamaicans have been urged to channel capital into the island's housing market, with officials stressing that the options extend well beyond buying a home.

Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the National Housing Trust (NHT), issued the appeal during a plenary session titled "Investing in Jamaica's Property Market: Opportunities for the Diaspora" on Monday, June 15. The address formed part of the opening day programme for the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference.

Berbick told attendees that the Trust's construction programme is structured to welcome diaspora participation at multiple points along the development pipeline. "The NHT has built out a construction programme that has different opportunities for partnerships with our diasporans. At different stages of the construction development cycle those opportunities exist," he said.

He noted that prior experience in property development or building is not a prerequisite for getting involved. "Whether you are a developer, whether you just have a brilliant idea that you want to put to use, whether you are a financier and you are looking for someone with the experience and the expertise in an institution like the NHT to help you execute that, we have a wide umbrella of opportunities," Berbick stated.

The NHT executive framed the initiative as a long-term partnership aimed at expanding housing supply across Jamaica. "It is not restricted just to our developers; it is for our diasporans as well who just have a vision to make Jamaica a better place. You have a partner with the NHT and so in our next 50 years we are talking about partnerships and these opportunities with our diasporans to help build out the NHT's housing programme and increase the number of housing starts we have available for Jamaicans," he added.

Berbick also highlighted that the Trust holds land that can be allocated to help turn project ideas into reality, even for persons who do not already own property.

Running from June 14 to 18 at the Montego Bay Conference Centre in St. James, the conference gathers members of the Jamaican diaspora under the theme "Diaspora Partnerships: Re-Building A More Resilient Jamaica."

The breakout session gave participants space to raise questions and receive practical direction on entering Jamaica's property market. Presentations addressed essential steps, legal matters, financing routes and emerging openings, equipping attendees to pursue investment decisions with greater clarity and confidence.