The First Home Purchase (FHP) Subsidy is for persons who want to acquire their first home, but are unable to do so because they cannot qualify for a mortgage due to limited financial means. Through the programme, the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment gives an upfront subsidy that does not have to be repaid. This subsidy will be used to reduce the cost of the mortgage, thereby enabling the person to qualify.
Who can apply?
You are eligible to apply for a FHP subsidy if:
- You are a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago who has identified a home for purchase and requires assistance to buy it.
- Your total household income falls within one of the income brackets listed below. 'Total household income' is determined by adding together the annual incomes of each working person in your household.
- TT$24000.00 to TT$40000.00 per annum.
- TT$40001.00 to TT$65000.00 per annum.
- You do not fully or partially own any othr property for dwelling purposes.
How do I apply?
Persons seeking assistance through the FHP programme should obtain an application form by doing any of the following:
- Download the application form by following the link at the bottom of this section.
- Obtain or photocopy the application form from a local newspaper.
- Obtain an application form from the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment
Completed forms must be submitted to any of the offices or agencies of the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment.listed below, during any of the application cycles that run throughout the year. At the beginning of each cycle, a notice is published in the daily newspapers.
Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment
44-46 South Quay, Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 623-HOME (4663)
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Housing Development Corporation (HDC)
Sub Office (formerly National Housing Agency, NHA)
Mc Gillvary Street, Mon Repos, San Fernando
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 652-3116
Opening hours:8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee Office (SILWC)
Corner Dove and Balisier Avenues, Couva
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 636-2772
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Tobago House of Assembly (THA)
Settlements Division
2nd Floor, ANSA Mc Al Building, Milford Road, Scarborough
Tobago, West Indies
Tel (868) 639-6800
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
How are subsidy recipients selected?
All FHP subsidy application forms are entered into a computerised database. A random, computerised draw is performed periodically to shortlist qualified applicants who will beinterviewed to ascertain that they meet all eligibility criteria.
Successful applicants are notified by mail and invited to attend an interview. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by mail and may reapply when they meet all criteria.
If successful, what documents are required?
Successful applicants will be contacted to schedule an appointment for an interview with a representative from the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment. Applicants are required to submit the original and one copy of each of the following documents:
- Birth Certificate.
- Identification (ID) Card and Passport / Driver's Permit.
- Evidence of citizenship (where applicable).
- Marriage Certificate (where applicable).
- Recent pay slip and job letter (where persons are self-employed, an affidavit attesting to their income would be accepted).
- Affidavit attesting to the fact that you are not a property owner.
- Purchase Agreement.
What is the amount of the FHP Subsidy?
The amount of the subsidy for which you qualify is determined both by:
- The value of the home you want to purchase, up to a predetermined maximum value.
- Your household income level.
Therefore it is extremely important to correctly identify your household income level on the application form.
The maximum home value referred to above is TT$195,000.00 for applicants resident on the island of Trinidad, and TT$215,000.00 for applicants resident on the island of Tobago. Applicants whose annual household income is at least TT$24,000.00 but does not exceed TT$40,000.00 could qualify for a subsidy of TT$50,000.00. Applicants whose annual household income falls within the range of TT$40,000.00 and TT$65,000.00 could qualify for a subsidy of TT$35,000.00.
Where can I find more information?
For further information, please contact the:
Programme Monitoring and Coordinating Unit (PCMU)
Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment
44 - 46 South Quay, Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 623-HOME (4663) ext. 2094 / 2170
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays