Over 350 low income homes in 2019
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DPI, Guyana, Monday, December 3, 2018
Low income Guyanese will have more housing opportunities in 2019 as the government works to construct more than 350 affordable housing units in several areas.
Supporting the 2019 Budget Minister with responsibility for Housing Valerie Patterson-Yearwood told the National Assembly the venture is among many others undertaken by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to address the challenges in the housing sector.
Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood.
“It is widely known that persons in the lower income bracket represent the largest number of families in need of housing and they are also the group that has the most challenges to acquire decent, affordable housing. We will be addressing this situation, frontally. CHPA has designed several low-income housing units which will be on display during our exhibition in 2019. The cost of these units commences at $4Million,” Minister Patterson- Yearwood said.
In 2019 the agency will work with the private sector to deliver additional units across the country, while those desirous of constructing their own homes will have access to house lots.
The government remains committed to bridging the gap between the hinterland and coastland in every aspect. Therefore, in 2019 the sum of $204Million will also be spent to provide full and/or partial subsidies for the construction of houses for 51 families in Kamarang/Warawatta, Kako, Quebenang, and Waramadong in Region Seven.
Minister Patterson-Yearwood noted that proper infrastructure is equally important as affordable housing. To this end, low-income housing schemes throughout the country will benefit from infrastructure upgrades. These areas include Sophia, Parfaite Harmonie, Belle West, Uitvlugt, Ituni, Kwakwani, Kilcoy/Chesney among others.
“The government has commenced discussions with our development partners to secure more financing to undertake new housing development. Once successful, funds will be provided to upgrade infrastructure in all CHPA schemes, the construction of houses in all regions. In Region One, Mabaruma is earmarked for significant upgrade. Cocorite Hill Housing Scheme will benefit from road upgrade and the construction of a community facility. In Region Two, roads will be upgraded at Anna Regina, Onderneeming and Charity and in Region Eight at Madhia … These are few of the activities to be funded,” Minister Patterson-Yearwood underlined.
Other infrastructural upgrades include home improvement- repairs to roofs, walls, floors, expansion to address over-crowding, sanitation and construction of core houses for single-family household and family living in structures not habitable in Region Four.
Ranetta La Fleur.
Images: Jameel Mohamed.