More NHT homeownership and community development as Emancipation Park steps up celebrations (Jun-28-2012) The National Housing Trust recently invited applications for 841 solutions in the Longville Park Housing Development. And to further homeownership opportunities, the NHT recently held a Home Buyers Expo at the Emancipation Park. Also, the NHT is inviting submissions for its Journalism Award. Additionally the NHT continues to support communities through its Social Development Department. Finally, as Emancipation Park celebrates its 10th anniversary, find out more about those who visit the park, and about the exciting calendar of events in store for members of the public. THE NHT INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR LONGVILLE PARK (PHASE 3) LONGVILLE PARK STUDIO UNIT The National Housing Trust invited applications for eight hundred and forty one solutions in the Longville Park Housing Development between Monday, June 18, 2012 and Friday, June 22, 2012.  Longville Park is centrally located just outside Freetown which links major town centres such as Kingston, Spanish Town, Old Harbour, May Pen and Mandeville. The development is also close to Highway 2000 which can be easily accessed from nearby Old Harbour. Longville units available               The units put on the market included 228 serviced lots; 300 two bedroom units; 173 one bedroom units and 140 studio units. NHT INVITES JOURNALISM AWARD SUBMISSIONS Apart from inviting application for housing units, the NHT is inviting submissions for its Journalism Award. The NHT recently announced the introduction of the NHT Journalism Award for Excellence in Reporting on Sustainable Development and Affordable Housing. The award will be made to a journalist who publishes original work reflecting outstanding thought, research, analysis and investigation of issues relating to affordable housing and/or sustainable development. This award was introduced in commemoration of the NHT’s 35th anniversary. For more information about the award, please visit: http://www.nht.gov.jm/journalism-award NHT HOME BUYERS EXPO NHT held a Home Buyers Expo on Thursday, June 21, at the Emancipation Park. Customers were invited to talk to NHT officers about loan products and services and to find out more about housing from other housing industry partners.   These partners and other exhibitors included the Housing Agency of Jamaica; New Era Homes 2000; Scott’s Realty; Pratwell Electric; Jamaica Solar Energy Association; Renewable Energy Developers; DC Tavares & Finson Realty; Kencasa Development; Gore Developments; Century 21-Heave-HO Properties; La Maison Property Services; Allison Pitter & Co.; Commission of Strata Corporations; and the Real Estate Board. Customers were also invited to visit NHT’s special Jamaica 50 Wellness Centre. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES Arrears Management; Music for Social Transformation;  Parish Schemes Associations (PSAs);  Community Safety & Security as well as Environment Management are just some of the ways in which the NHT supports communities through its Social Development Department (SDD). Music for Social Transformation The Music for Social Transformation programme continues in Kingston at the Caribbean Palms Denham Town, Providence Heights in St. James and Llandillo, Westmoreland. All tutors in the project participated in a workshop with expert musician, Grub Cooper at the NHT’s St. Ann Branch office.  At the workshop, Wendy-Jo Williams, Manager of the NHT’s Social Development Department,  presented models used in Brazil for programmes of this nature to the workshop’s participants. The Brazil model was chosen because of its cultural similarities to Jamaica. Providence Heights Members of the Providence Heights Marching Band participated in a music workshop hosted by musicians from the Smoky Mountain Quintet, a North Carolina based group. This workshop was held at Sam Sharpe Teachers College. Additionally, band rehearsals continue on a weekly basis. Members of the Providence Heights MST programme with their instruments alongside members of the Smokey Mountain Quintet The band has made further progress through acquiring a drum set with help from the Royal School of Music. This will help concert performances. Denham Town Over in Denham Town, forty (40) children attended classes in music theory and practice, as well as Maths and English Language. In the meantime, sixty (60) young persons are now involved in the programme at Caribbean Palms. The introduction of the dance component has increased the total number of children participating in the programme by 75%. The Marching Band members have completed their basic theory classes and have begun to learn to play instruments.   Llandillo Another cultural group from the Llandillo community are being trained to perform at events.  These  fifteen students  are being trained  in the areas of Revival ; John Canoe, Gerreh and Tambo.  The cultural group will be participating in the JCDC Annual Competition. SDD Skills training  and employment opportunities Training continues for students in CXC subjects and skills training across the island. Two (2) phases of the Hospitality Skills for Life programme are currently being conducted. The next segment begins July 2012. Also, during the month of June, fourteen (14) persons were referred for employment by the Social Development Department. SDD Environmental clubs Seventy percent of the environment clubs across the island participated in a Labour Day projects in collaboration with Citizens Associations. Other initiatives included: • The expansion of the recycling programme to all clubs in Clarendon. Currently a recycling project is taking place in Bushy Park. The JAMALCO Bauxite Company wishes to collaborate with this project and this would allow the clubs to earn from the sale of recycled plastic bottles. • Solar Cooker Development workshops. Clubs in Kingston participated in a Solar Cooker Development workshop at Source Farms Eco Village in St. Thomas recently. Parish Schemes Associations With the SDD’s support, PSAs continue to hold meetings in most parishes, except for Manchester and  St. Elizabeth,  where no structure has yet been established. WHO FREQUENTLY VISITS EMANCIPATION PARK AND WHY DO THEY VISIT? Apart from community transformation, the NHT support the Emancipation Park as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. We reflect on those who frequently visit the Park and why they visit. These are just a few of the park’s visitors along with the reasons why they visit: Health enthusiasts- to exercise: jog, walk and do aerobics Entertainment aficionados – to enjoy cultural concerts, movies and expositions Students- school children on tours, attending  expos, doing studies Families- to socialize: have dates, enjoy birthday parties as well as picnics and outings Nature lovers- to enjoy the lush greenery, vibrant flowers, tranquillity and peace of mind of the Park. Photographers- to record images of the beautiful landscape, fountains and wedding parties Be among the visitors and join us in our celebrations  “Freedom Journey” is the theme selected for the year’s celebrations and this is being commemorated with the staging of a series of cultural, entertaining and informative events throughout the year. We therefore invite you and your entire family and friends to be among the many visitors to Emancipation Park to participate in these exciting events. For more updates about these events, visit the NHT website at: http://www.nht.gov.jm/media-room/news/who-goes-emancipation-park-and-why   For more information about these events, as well as NHT products and services, visit the NHT website at: www.nht.gov.jm