THE Guyana Government through the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) yesterday launched its ‘1000 Homes’ initiative at the spanking new Perseverance Housing Development.

The Perseverance scheme is located on the East Bank of Demerara, approximately five miles from the capital city and serves as part of the East Bank Development Project which is currently under way.
The launch saw in attendance Head of State Donald Ramotar, Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Alli, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, representatives from the various banks, hardware stores, the private sector and other organisations.
In delivering some opening remarks Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Alli noted that they are hoping to develop this housing scheme in eight months.
He told those gathered that as the land is being cleared, surveyors will be at work to measure the accurate land sizes in a push to expedite the process.
According to Minister Ali, this will also be done simultaneously with the ministry looking to secure contractors to develop and build the houses and put in the necessary infrastructure.
He stated that all these works were going on simultaneously and will save 12 months of extra work and thus the housing scheme will be built in 8 months.
In 2011, the ministry recommended the construction of houses as a housing solution for the citizens of Guyana, with the aim of improving the quality of life with respect to the shelter needs of the population.
The overwhelming response from applicants for this type of housing solution resulted in the expansion of the programme.
The Ministry of Housing and Water has already constructed a significant number of turnkey houses in schemes such as Providence, Eccles, Mon Repos, Good Hope, Zeelugt and Leonora.
At present, there are two designs of the houses which will be available to low and moderate income applicants.
The Buttercup Cottage House has a total floor area of 600 square feet, two bedrooms complete with wash-rooms, septic tank, kitchen, common dining area and living area and patio, and at a cost $4.9M.
The Bungalow Orchid House has a total floor area of some 1000 square feet.”
The building is constructed primarily with concrete, painted internally and externally, and finished with tiled floor and bathroom, sheet rock ceiling, modern lighting fixtures, zinc roof and sash windows. It includes three bedrooms, complete with washrooms, septic tank, kitchen, common dining and living area and patio, at $8.9M.
Home owners at this scheme will be serviced by the financial, commercial, medical and educational facilities located in the Diamond Scheme.
This development will be provided with open spaces for recreational use and institutional purposes.
Citizens who are interested in applying for a home can visit the Central Housing and Planning Authority Head Office and obtain an application form, complete the form, and submit it to the Land Allocation Unit.
In addition, the following documents must be presented when submitting the application: birth certificate, identification card or passport, marriage certificate if applicable and recent job letter and pay slip; affidavits will be required for self- employed applicants.