Reading Time: 4 minutes

More than 7,000 Jamaicans attended this year’s staging of the National Housing Trust’s (NHT) Home It! Expo, underscoring the appetite among Jamaicans for trusted guidance on buying, building and financing a home.

Held in Montego Bay on July 3 and Kingston on July 11, the Expo served as a one-stop shop, bringing together major players from across the housing industry. Individuals were able to access mortgage readiness assessments, free building plans and general product advice from the NHT. Additionally, attendees also benefited from free workshops and expertise from other service providers, including financial institutions, developers, contractors, real estate professionals, home furnishing companies and renewable energy providers.

Senior Marketing Coordinator at the NHT, Jywanza Hall, said the Expo was created to bridge a critical information gap that often prevents aspiring homeowners from taking the first step.

“Many Jamaicans want to own a home but simply don’t know where to begin. Home It was designed to bring the housing industry together in one place, allowing contributors to access every stakeholder involved in the homeownership journey within a matter of hours. It takes what can seem like a complex process and makes it easier to understand.”

Hall said the success of this year’s staging reflects a growing confidence among Jamaicans that homeownership is achievable.

“We’ve seen a noticeable increase in interest from people who want to buy or build a home. This year, we expanded the Expo with more exhibitors than ever before, introduced a dedicated Solar Zone featuring renewable energy providers and hosted workshops that were filled to capacity. The response has been phenomenal. 

He added that beyond providing information, the Expo is helping to dispel one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding homeownership. 

“One of our goals is to demystify the process. Many people believe owning a home is beyond their reach, but when they understand the options available and the support the NHT and our partners provide, they leave feeling informed, empowered and ready to begin their journey.”

For attendee and social media personality Andrew Dennis, popularly known as ‘Miss Pearly Grandson’, praised the Expo’s comprehensive approach to educating prospective homeowners.

“There is information in every nook and cranny here. Housing is one of the most important conversations we can have as a country, and bringing every service together in one place is a forward-thinking move.”

Dennis, who is currently building his own home, described the construction process as both challenging and rewarding. Dennis encouraged aspiring homeowners to approach the process with patience and careful planning.

“Before you start, be sure you know exactly what you want. That helps you avoid unnecessary frustration and make the best use of your resources. Building takes time, but slower isn’t always a bad thing. In the end, you’re creating something that becomes part of your family’s legacy.”

He urged young Jamaicans not to delay preparing for homeownership.

“Position yourself early. Make sure you’re making your NHT contributions and don’t wait until you’re ready to buy before you start planning. It’s better to have those benefits available when you need them than to realise too late that you missed the opportunity. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Homeownership is possible.”

Building on the success of this year’s Expo, the NHT will take the initiative directly to communities across the island through a series of other mini expos, giving even more Jamaicans convenient access to homeownership information, expert advice and the organisations that can help make their housing goals a reality.

As the demand for housing continues to grow, the NHT remains committed to equipping contributors with the knowledge, partnerships and practical support needed to move confidently from aspiration to homeownership.