Cop's last-minute application lands her NHT property

For years, Jenelle Hoilette held on to the simple dream of giving her children a place they could truly call home. 

Today, that dream is one step closer to becoming reality after the 31-year-old mother of three secured a serviced lot in the National Housing Trust's (NHT) Malvern Housing Development. Her aunt had spotted her name on the list of successful applicants for the serviced lots.  

"I felt like I had won the lottery," Hoilette recalled with a laugh. "When I finally saw the email, I screamed."

For Hoilette, the lot represents far more than land. It is the reward for years of hope, persistence and patience. She was among 27 contributors who officially received serviced lots during a handover ceremony last Thursday, bringing them one step closer to homeownership.

"My greatest fear was not leaving anything for my children," Hoilette said. "This land is something they can inherit. Acquiring it at this age gives me freedom and creates opportunities for the future."

After being unsuccessful in previous housing applications, Hoilette, a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, submitted her application for the Malvern development just 30 minutes before the portal closed. That last-minute decision has now become the foundation of what she hopes will be a lasting family legacy.

Nearly 70 per cent of the successful applicants for the development are women, many of whom are building not only homes but long-term security for their families. Several beneficiaries are also between the ages of 19 and 35. Beneficiaries have received 100 per cent financing for their lots and will also have access to additional support to build their homes at low interest rates.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, who delivered the keynote address at the handover, said the occasion represented much more than the allocation of land.

"Today we hand over land, but we also hand over a foundation for families to live and build on. When a family builds here, they are building into order. This is how wealth is built," he said.

NHT Chairman Linval Freeman said the Malvern development is part of the Trust’s wider investment in St Elizabeth, where the organisation continues to respond to growing housing demand while strengthening infrastructure and communities.

"Housing is not just about providing a structure. It is about creating the conditions for people to build stable lives, raise their families and contribute meaningfully to national development. That is why our investments must go beyond construction to supporting the communities in which Jamaicans live and grow," he said.

For Hoilette, those sentiments strike a deeply personal chord. Standing on the property where her family home will one day be built, Hoilette can already envision what lies ahead.

"Acquiring this land and building this home is for them and their children," she said.