NHT Processes Refunds for 40,000 Contributors Amid Mobile App Glitch

The National Housing Trust (NHT) announced that by today, it expects to have processed payments to approximately 40,000 contributors who successfully applied for refunds.

Despite technical difficulties that led to its mobile app being taken offline, the NHT has received nearly 67,000 refund applications through its website as of Wednesday.

This year’s figures represent a significant increase compared to the same period in 2024 when 30,870 applications were submitted in the first three days of January, with 18,415 coming through the online portal. By the end of 2024, the NHT had processed six times that initial number.

“In 2024, the NHT refunded 180,000 contributors, amounting to $9.7 billion. This total includes refunds applied as credits to mortgage accounts and those paid out as cash,” the trust stated in response to queries.

The NHT did not disclose the estimated total eligible for refunds this year.

NHT contributions are held for seven years before becoming eligible for refunds. For this year, contributions made in 2017 and earlier are now eligible. While applications can be made at any time after the seventh year, many contributors apply in January to address financial gaps following early December salaries and holiday expenditures.

Applications are currently accepted only through the NHT website or its customer portal, as the mobile app remains out of service.

The NHT acknowledged ongoing issues with its mobile app, which has been taken offline for improvements.

“Unfortunately, the NHT’s mobile app has not been performing at an optimal level, resulting in a subpar service experience. We are actively working to resolve these issues and will use this downtime to upgrade the platform. Customers can expect enhanced service delivery once the app is restored,” the NHT stated.

The entity has not provided a timeline for the app’s return.

The NHT continues to caution applicants to be vigilant against scams. Contributors are advised to:

• Use only the NHT website and approved customer portal.
• Avoid unsolicited emails and verify email domain names.
• Refrain from clicking suspicious links or sharing personal data.

Applicants are also reminded to avoid common errors that could delay processing, including:

• Failing to provide valid documentation.
• Applying for the wrong year.
• Submitting incomplete or inaccurate information.
• Using names that do not match NHT records.
• Providing incorrect banking information.

Refunds typically take 10 to 15 working days to process.

The NHT remains committed to improving its services and ensuring contributors receive their refunds efficiently while addressing the technical issues with its digital platforms.