THROUGH the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Central Planning and Housing Authority (CPHA), yesterday, held a workshop at the International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, to propose the National Housing Policy.

Present at the proceedings were Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali and Permanent Secretary of the Housing Ministry, Emil McGarrel, among other ministry officials and representatives of the public and private sectors of Guyana.
Minister Ali, delivering the feature address, stated his pleasure to be present at the consultative aspect of the housing policy. He lauded the technical team of the CPHA, members of which worked tirelessly with the consultant and stakeholders to ensure availability of this document some days before yesterday’s event.
He said the whole idea behind sending the document out is to ensure the widest possible stakeholder input and participation, and more importantly, at the CPHA, it is strongly believed that transparency, openness and consultative moves will advance the housing programme in Guyana.
He pointed out that the ministry must be very guarded in how it continues to treat with growth and development, training its focus on macro economic and fiscal policy governing the housing sector.
He noted that one has to be conscious of the environment in which the housing sector is being developed, the whole issue of global warming presents tremendous threats and this policy enables the ministry to raise this discussion to a whole new level, to ensure that whatever policy and strategy is developed takes into consideration the devastating effect global warming has on the world, and not just on Guyana.
He said the (Hurricane) Sandy effect in New York stands as a strong reminder of the impact global warming has on small economies like Guyana.
He stated also, that in planning this strategy, the banking sector plays an important role; the ministry has been planning with an economic and financial framework, and has been encouraging a lot of spending within the housing sector.
He stated that the ministry has moved from land allocation to building low and middle income houses, and thus far, this has been very successful, as many young professionals are now coming on board to promote and benefit from various housing programmes.
He opined that the banking and financial sector needs to have a more robust role in developing the housing sector.
Minister Ali said the Housing Ministry has embarked on various discussions with the private sector, and is hoping to sign various memorandums of understanding with them, such as the one that would soon be signed with National Hardware to sell to owners of house lots allocated by the Housing Ministry, their necessities for equipment at wholesale prices when approached for house construction.
He spoke about strengthening coordination for further development in the housing sector.
In terms of subsidies, the ministry is looking at tax incentives for the construction of affordable homes. The minister said this policy was designed in a way that it would be a rather “alive” policy, and it is not just an assessment, but rather an implementation.
The minister invited persons present to offer comments and queries relative to the policy, and reiterated that the policy is considered very important.