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The Programme Monitoring, Coordinating and Evaluation Unit (PMCEU) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development implements the ‘Neighbourhood Upgrade Programme’ (NUP), a US$50M Loan Programme Agreement between the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT).

The NUP’s objective has been to improve the living and housing conditions of low and middle income persons through infrastructural upgrades of squatter settlements, providing home improvement subsidies and facilitating incremental construction or purchase of affordable quality housing.

It is envisioned that this approach will promote the equitable development of wholesome and sustainable communities across Trinidad and Tobago.

To promote the equitable development of wholesome and sustainable communities across Trinidad and Tobago.

To improve the living and housing conditions of low and middle income persons through infrastructural upgrades of squatter settlements, providing home improvement subsidies and facilitating incremental construction or purchase of affordable quality housing.

The Neighbourhood Upgrade Programme (NUP) comprises 3 components:

Component 1 – Squatter Regularisation and Upgrading: This component provides for the infrastructural upgrades of squatter communities and the regularisation of squatters by the provision of Deeds of Lease. These works are undertaken by the Land Settlement Agency (LSA), which under the State Lands (Regularisation of Tenure) Act 25 of 1998 is authorised to regularise squatting at 254 scheduled sites in Trinidad and Tobago.

Component 2 – Home Subsidies: The PMCEU provides matching subsidies to eligible lower income beneficiaries for home improvement, home construction or purchase.

Component 3 – Sector and Institutional Strengthening: This component contributes to strengthening the policy formulation and implementation capacity of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and its agencies. The acquisition of hardware and software, the automation of programme reporting and the participation in regional/international forums on the best practices in housing and urban development.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for the subsidy: –
  2. Household income must not exceed $7,000.00 per month
  3. Citizen and Residents of Trinidad and Tobago
  4. Must have sufficient contribution to complete repairs/construction or purchase.
  5. Must provide proof of ownership or permission from owner to repair/purchase or construct on property
  6. Must not have benefited from any housing subsidy offered by the Ministry and its Agencies

New Home Subsidies – Home Purchase or Home Construction up to $50,000.

To afford more resident citizens of Trinidad and Tobago opportunities to acquire their own homes and provide shelter for their family. This programme offers successful applicants, financial assistance of $35,000 or $50,000.00 to construct or purchase a home valued no more than $200,000.00 in Trinidad and $220,000.00 in Tobago. The cost of land is not included.

Applicants with monthly household income up to $4,000 are eligible for a Subsidy of $50,000 and those with monthly household income $4,001 to $7,000 may receive a Subsidy of $35,000.

The PMCEU has developed ten (10) starter housing solutions that can be built for under $226,000. These plans can be viewed here: –

Application Process: –

  1. All applicants will be entered into the Ministry’s database and a random selection/need process will be adopted in the selection of perspective beneficiaries.
  2. Successful applicants will be informed of their selection and will be interviewed to ascertain the veracity of their application.
  3. Supporting documents specific to the selected programme will be required
  4. A technical officer of the Ministry will monitor works to be undertaken to ensure there is strict adherence to the signed agreement and will authorize for the disbursement of funds in tranches.