New homes for Broad/Lombard street residents by November
─ “We know of your pain. We know of your situation you have faced with” – Min. Ferguson
─ sod turned for building of 20 homes at Prospect, East Bank of Demerara
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 4, 2019
After more than 30 years of unfavourable living conditions, residents of 17-18 Broad/Lombard Streets Georgetown, can now live in a level of comfort.
A collaboration, between the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and Food for the Poor Guyana Incorporated (FFTP), is the first phase of the project, and this will see the construction of twenty 2-bedroom 20×16 homes for 20 families.
Today, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson along with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA, Lelon Saul turned the sod for the project which will commence in August.
![Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson [second left] along with CH&PA CEO Lelon Saul [left], representative of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc., Andrea Benjamin and representative of the Broad/Lombard street residents Phillip Chase turn the sod.](https://i0.wp.com/dpi.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC_0980.jpg?w=561&h=374&ssl=1 "DSC_0980")
The homes have received 59% funding from the CH&PA, while FFTP Guyana has contributed 41%. The beneficiaries will, however, be required to oversee the installation of electricity and water to their homes and prepare the space for septic tanks.
Minister Ferguson told the jubilant beneficiaries that it is the Coalition Government and its promise of an improved living standard for all Guyanese that has made the project possible. She said while housing remains a significant bugbear at this time, all is being done through the CH&PA to ease the hardship.
“We know of your pain. We know of your situation you have faced with,” she said at the simple ceremony.
Having recently been given the responsibility for the housing sector, Minister Ferguson said she plans to ensure equitable and fair distribution of land.
“You cannot apply in 2019 and expect to be given a house lot in 2019 when you have thousands of people waiting; in excess of twenty-something years. So today, you who would be benefitting from this should be happy. Our government want to see people removed from slums, and from swampy areas. And so, I am happy that we are constructing these buildings.”
She said when the homes are completed; families are free to extend and make their lives more comfortable.
At the ceremony, beneficiaries were beyond grateful for the “lifesaver”. Keisha Smith, who has been living at the Lombard street residence for over nine years, is elated. “I want to thank the Food for the Poor, CH&PA and everyone who gave us the houses. This means a lot to me and family because the condition that we are living in is not good.”
Mother of three Melissa Abrams said she has been living at Lombard street all her life. “All my children born and grow there… I now feel like something is going for me. I feel so thankful to the Minister, Food for the Poor, President David Granger, and I thank God for everything.”
Choking back tears, Phillip Chase said moving from Lombard Street to Prospect, opens wider doors for everyone, especially the young children.
“It is not appropriate for the children to live there. Where we are going now is much better than where we are living,” he told DPI.
The Broad/Lombard Street project started in July 2017 when residents were required to relocate following a court order by the Gonsalves company. The government immediately stepped in to bring relief to residents. Six families that lost their homes by fire in March this year were placed on the priority list.
While 20 families will be housed in the Prospect community, another 31 will be facilitated at Cummings Lodge, East Coast of Demerara.
Images: Jules Gibson