Youth among Region Four’s Dream Realised beneficiaries
─initiative being taken to Region Three next
The Ministry of Housing and Water wrapped up the Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) leg of the PPP/C Government’s massive ‘Dream Realised’ housing programme on Saturday with over 1,000 Guyanese becoming new land owners.
The two-day event, which started on Friday, was hosted by the Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) at the Guyana National Stadium. It had targeted 1,800 land distributions but some of the beneficiaries were unable to make the event. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves told DPI those individuals could contact the Ministry about their allocations.
“I can fairly say it was a success,” Mr. Greaves said on Saturday.
The event drew persons from all categories of applicants, from low to high-income house lots. Accommodation was also made for persons who upgraded their income status from the time of their initial application to present day.
Chutney sensation, Mr. Steven Ramphal, was among the elated allottees. “When I got the phone call, I was pretty much excited and at the same time shocked because it’s been years that I had applied and to finally know that I am a landowner and now soon to become a homeowner feels really good,” he told DPI.
“As a young, independent individual who is now starting up a life with a family and everything, it’s kind of tough paying a rent every month,” he added.
Next, Mr. Ramphal said, he plans to start building a home on his Annandale, East Coast Demerara land. “[It’s] a lovely location for me and my new business that I actually started just a few years back,” he said.
Twenty-three-year-old, Ms. Andrea Andrews is also overjoyed at finally becoming a landowner. She said this initiative was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her as she hails from Moraikobai, Region Five, an Indigenous village where land is owned by the community and not individuals.
“Thank you to all the people who are making young people’s dreams realised. I’m a young Guyanese and having this opportunity feels so good to me… Renting is not something that I want to do for the rest of my life and this is definitely the foundation, the start of it and I know that one day I will own my own home,” she said.
Ms. Andrews sees landownership as an opportunity for both her and her family to chart a different course and she plans to approach the commercial banks to start building in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.
“It’s a good opportunity and it’s going to be great; it’s going to benefit us in a good way,” Ms. Lashana Saul said. The 29-year-old expectant mother of two lauded the Dream Realised initiative as timely for her growing family. She said her next step is to start building.
Mr. Harinarine Persaud, says that he could not be happier for the Christmas season. “It’s a step forward for me with my kids and family,” he said, adding that he has been waiting approximately seven years.
Mr. Greaves said the recipients’ gratitude was a testament to the event’s success. The CH&PA also allowed beneficiaries to pay as low as 25 per cent of the total cost of their house lots, compared to the usual 50 per cent requirement.
The ‘Dream Realised’ event moves to Region Three on Tuesday where a targeted 1,500 house lots will be allocated.