A Place to Call Her Own: Mother of Two Achieves Milestone in Cherry Gardens

St. Catherine, Jamaica - For 36-year-old Natasha Bogle, standing on her newly assigned lot in Cherry Gardens, Spanish Town, marked more than a milestone, it was the fulfilment of a dream years in the making.

“When I got the call, I was at work shouting, ‘Thank you, Jesus,’” she recalled. “My co-workers were just staring at me, but I didn’t care.”

Bogle was among 34 beneficiaries who received Serviced Lots at Cherry Gardens during a handover ceremony on Wednesday, April 15. This builds on the 47 lots previously distributed, in partnership with Preview Limited through the National Housing Trust’s (NHT) Interim Finance Programme.

A mother of two, Bogle’s journey has been defined by persistence and determination. She grew up in a household where her family shared a single room. This experience shaped her desire to create a better future for herself and her children. Now, as the first in her immediate family to own land, she is already envisioning the life she hopes to build. For Bogle, landownership represents independence, stability, and the opportunity to create a lasting legacy for her children.

Her path to homeownership was not without challenges. Bogle explored options on the open market (at one point, a private land purchase fell through) before returning to the NHT’s scheme options. Undeterred, she applied once more, this time for the Cherry Gardens development, submitting her application at the last minute.

“I didn’t believe it was real until I showed up for the interview,” she said. “I was so overwhelmed, I cried.”

Having also earned her degree in education the year prior, Bogle describes this moment as both an achievement and a blessing.

Looking across her lot, she already sees the future taking shape. “I see my home… a space where I can sit on my verandah, feel settled, and be surrounded by good neighbours,” she said.

In his keynote address, Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness emphasised the importance of initiatives like the Interim Finance Programme in expanding access to housing. He explained that the programme enables the NHT to provide financing support, sometimes up to 100 percent, to developers, helping to reduce the cost of capital while maintaining affordability.

Dr. Holness further noted that approximately 40 percent of beneficiaries qualified for mortgage financing at interest rates as low as zero percent, underscoring the programme’s impact on accessibility.

NHT Chairman Linval Freeman highlighted the broader significance of the initiative, stating, “Moments like this are a tangible expression of the NHT’s enduring mission, expanding access, strengthening communities, and empowering Jamaicans with hope, pride, and a sense of place.”

Another beneficiary, Tiffany Jolly, expressed appreciation during the vote of thanks, noting, “Unu really make it easy fi wi… today is a day where dreams come true.” She described landownership as more than property, it is an opportunity to build a future and leave a lasting legacy.

For Bogle, that message resonates deeply.

“Keep trying,” she said. “The opportunity will come. The NHT is real, and it works.”

Photo Caption: Natasha Bogle is all smiles as she receives her letter of possession
from Prime Minister, Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness during the handing over ceremony

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