Through strategic collaboration between the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and Food for the Poor Guyana, persons under wanting conditions at Broad and Lombard Streets, Georgetown, are expected to be the beneficiaries of their own homes in the near future.
The first phase of the project, according to information released by the Department of Public Information, will see the construction of 20 two-bedroom 20×16 homes. The homes are intended for 20 families.
Yesterday, 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.
The homes have received 59 per cent funding from the CH&PA, while FFTP Guyana has contributed 41 per cent. 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 a simple sod-turning 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 wants to see people removed from slums, and from swampy areas. And so, I am happy that we are constructing these buildings,” said Ferguson.
Once the homes are completed, the minister said that the families will granted the freedom to extend and make their lives more comfortable.
