The National Housing Trust (NHT) is one of the most valuable benefits available to Jamaican workers. Over time, your NHT contributions accumulate and become available as low-interest housing loans for buying land, building, or purchasing a home. This guide explains how to register, contribute, and access your benefits.
What is the NHT?
The National Housing Trust was established in 1976 to provide affordable housing solutions for Jamaican workers. Both employees and employers make mandatory contributions, and contributors can eventually access these funds through housing loans and refunds.
Who Must Contribute to NHT?
- All employed persons aged 18 and over in Jamaica
- Self-employed individuals with annual income above the threshold
- Employers must register and make contributions on behalf of their employees
NHT Contribution Rates
| Contributor | Rate |
|---|---|
| Employee | 2% of gross earnings |
| Employer | 3% of employees' gross earnings |
| Self-employed | 3% of declared earnings |
How to Register with NHT
For employees — your employer registers you
When you start a job in Jamaica, your employer is required to register you with NHT and begin deducting your 2% contribution. They also pay their 3% employer contribution on your behalf.
For self-employed individuals
Visit the NHT head office at 4 Park Boulevard, Kingston 5, or any regional NHT office. Bring your TRN, NIS number, and valid ID. Complete the self-employed registration form.
Confirm your contributions are being recorded
Check your NHT contribution record online at nht.gov.jm or by visiting any NHT office. Make sure your employer's contributions are being credited to your account.
NHT Housing Loans
After making at least 52 qualifying weekly contributions, you become eligible to apply for NHT housing loans. Loan amounts and interest rates depend on your income and contribution history.
| Loan type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Open Market Loan | Buy any property on the open market |
| NHT Scheme Loan | Purchase an NHT housing unit in an NHT-developed scheme |
| Home Improvement Loan | Renovate or improve an existing home you own |
| Land Purchase Loan | Buy a lot of land to build on later |
| Construction Loan | Build a new home on land you already own |
✅ NHT Refunds: If you have contributed to NHT for at least 7 years and are not planning to use a housing loan, you may apply for a refund of your contributions plus interest when you reach 65 years of age or on certain other qualifying events.
For Returning Residents
If you worked in Jamaica previously and made NHT contributions, those contributions remain on your account regardless of how long you lived abroad. When you return to work in Jamaica, you continue building on your existing contribution history. Check your contribution record as soon as you return to confirm your historical contributions are intact.
Joint Applications
Spouses and partners who both have NHT contributions can apply jointly for a larger combined loan amount. This significantly increases the purchasing power available for buying or building a home in Jamaica.
Let The Attaché Handle Your NHT Registration
The Attaché team manages the entire process on your behalf — document preparation, submission, follow-up, and delivery. No queues, no confusion.
NHT Registration from US$90. Available on iOS.
Sources: Relevant Jamaican government agencies and official sources. Last verified April 2026.