Free homes, subsidies under new housing project

The Government will be constructing for free core houses for more than 200 families under a new project which seeks to provide housing solutions to low-income households and single parents.

The initiative, named the Adequate and Urban Accessibility Programme, will also see the distribution of housing subsidies to eligible families to conduct repairs to their homes.

The programme is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to the tune of US$30M and the executing agency is the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Some 2500 citizens stand to benefit from the project which will target low-income communities and families which little means of affording a house, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA, Lelon Saul announced at a stakeholders sensitisation forum at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street Thursday.

To benefit from the free construction of a house, families must:

• Be a Guyanese citizen
• Own a house lot
• Be collectively earning $75,000 or less monthly

Director of Community Development, Gladwin Charles explained that applicants must demonstrate that they are currently living in a low-standard building that does not meet habitable requirements and living in an area of risk.

Under this aspect of the programme, CH&PA will be providing materials and labour to construct the unit but beneficiaries are required to submit $100,000 as equity share contribution. Furthermore, the Agency will supply the beneficiary with the building plan but the onus would be upon he/she to obtain plan approval and pay associated costs.

The other aspect of the programme would be to provide subsidy for home improvements. Beneficiaries can receive up to $500,000 worth of materials and labour to conduct repairs to their homes.

Improvements would cover repairs to the roof, walls, sanitation improvement, rainwater harvesting, expansion to address overcrowding, and any modification for people with disabilities. Charles explained that the construction of a verandah or fences is not eligible.

To benefit from this aspect, the criteria remains the same but selected plots but be free from legal encumbrances or ownership limitations.

Communities to be targeted are those in Georgetown, on the East Coast of Demerara as well as the East Bank of Demerara and Region Three.

Meanwhile, the programme will also focus on improving the infrastructure in some communities by developing asphaltic roads, concrete drains, pedestrian paths, streetlights, community facilities, among others. The CH&PA says it will start with the Sophia/Cummings Lodge area.

Interested persons are encouraged to contact the CH&PA for more information on how to benefit from this project.