For new schemes…
CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Ms. Myrna Pitt said, Saturday, that a well housed citizen is a productive one and the home is a symbol of stability and the foundation of a good family life.
She was speaking at another ‘One Stop Shop’ outreach conducted on the premises of the Ministry of Housing and Water in Brickdam, Georgetown.
Pitt congratulated each person who will be selecting their lots at Onderneeming Phase Two, West Bank Demerara and Section ‘EE’ Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara.
She said the selection signals the realisation of a dream that many of them were  waiting to make the reality of home ownership.
Pitt explained that Onderneeming Phase Two is part of the Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme which is one of CH&PA’s largest and comprises five phases, with Schoonord being the most recent addition.
She said the area is growing rapidly and when infrastructural development works would have been completed, it will accommodate in excess of 6,000 house lots, adequately serviced by schools, a health centre, a Police station and a multi-purpose community centre.
“The area will also accommodate economic activities as evidenced in the number of reserved sites that are available for land use associated with commercial and other activities,” Pitt disclosed.
She said employment opportunities will, therefore, be a natural and desirable outcome.
Located a mere seven miles from the capital, as the population increases the area will be right for various types of investment opportunities that would contribute to a sustainable and self-sufficient community, Pitt posited.
She revealed that a community development plan, that would provide a planned context for the future development and consolidation of it has already been prepared, to ensure that takes place in an orderly manner and assist in creating a better land use decision making environment, where development decisions will take account of issues which impact on the community priorities.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Pitt said a number of community projects were previously identified and the street naming project has been completed with the help of the Private Sector.
Additionally, she stated that there are plans to plant trees and engage in other community undertakings that will enhance the aesthetics of the area.
Pitt informed that Onderneeming Phase Two is more than 50 per cent complete, in terms of the infrastructural development works, with road servicing, installation of electricity supply and water connections to be done shortly.
About Section ‘EE’ Non Pariel, also a newly established scheme with a total of 280 lots, she said it has roads and water connections but electricity is to be made available shortly.
“The CH&PA is committed to pursuing a process of continuous improvement in providing a responsive service that meets the needs of our allottees,” Pitt assured.
In that regard, she said they are in the process of implementing the core house pilot programme, which would address issues of affordability and sustainability in ongoing efforts to reach low income target groups.
Pitt said the design of a starter house has been done and it, essentially, provides a core unit that lends itself to expansion as the beneficiary family can afford.
She explained that the unit can be expanded from the starter size, of approximately 360 square feet, to double it in an incremental manner.
Another key aspect of the determination to provide the best possible service to CH&PA clients is the pursuit of consolidating partnerships with the private and banking sectors, Pitt emphasised.
“This is, indeed, a ‘One Stop Shop’ experience that we hope is second to none. All the information you need, from the time you apply to the time you are ready to construct your home, is available here today,” she offered.
Pitt took the opportunity, as well, to commend the Private Sector, including the commercial banks, for availing themselves to make their products and services available in that setting.
“By bringing our collective services to the people, we are demonstrating that more can be achieved through partnerships and meaningful collaboration to provide a better quality of service and contribute towards integrated and sustainable development,” she maintained.