EIGHT families from Manawarin, in Region 1(Barima/Waini), received keys to their new homes on Thursday, as part of the portfolio ministry’s Hinterland Housing Pilot Project that is being implemented under the second Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS-2).

The beneficiaries of the subsidised low income homes are Timothy Daniels, Deon Williams, John Oselmo, Gloria John, Verly Fredricks, Evadney John, Crawford Williams, and Mabel Benjamin.
Some of them are now able to move away from very poor dwelling conditions into well constructed three-bedroom houses while the others, who were living in very remote areas, can get closer to access basic services, such as education and health.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Water, Mr. Emile Mc Garrell reminded all of them that home ownership comes with responsibilities and, as a result, they will have to ensure that the buildings are properly maintained so they can remain in good condition for years to come.
He pointed out that housing development in the hinterland is of tremendous social and economic importance, adding that it provides a good start to improving living standards.
According to him, home ownership is a form of enrichment at the personal and community level, as it creates employment, generates income and builds social cohesion.
Mc Garrell said the Government of Guyana has obtained funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the implementation of this scheme and the primary aim is to improve the living conditions of low income families through access to housing.
He said the three components of the project are development of new housing schemes, consolidation of existing sites and upgrading of squatting areas, institutional strengthening of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and implementing pilots to address issues of affordability, under which it falls.
Eight communities in Regions 1 and 9 will have some of their housing needs addressed and they include Oronoque, Whitewater and Manawarin in Region 1 and Kwatamang, Annai Central, Apoteri, Massara and Katoka in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

VERY PROACTIVE
At Manawarin, 18 families were initially identified for this intervention, based on the project’s budget. However, the Village Council was very proactive in negotiating and, eventually, managed to source materials, such as wood, at cheaper rates and reached an agreement with the contractor to supply labour at community rates.
Consequently, the programme was extended to facilitate four more families and, in addition, three families were selected to receive complete roof replacement subsidies, within the overall Manawarin Project value of $34.6M
In keeping with the agreement for this housing subsidy, the cost of all the materials and 40 percent of the labour are covered under the project while the remaining 60 percent labour cost is borne by the beneficiaries.
As regards the roof replacements, all the materials are provided but the labour is supplied by the beneficiaries.
Mc Garrell challenged the contractor and the other families whose homes are, currently, at various stages of construction, to make a determined effort to bring the works to an end before the hosting of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) next month, so that the Toshao of Manawarin can proudly inform the other Amerindian leaders of their success at that forum.
This housing pilot was designed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, respective Village Councils and residents of the selected communities.

PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE
CH&PA’s Operations Director, Ms. Denise King-Tudor said the ‘shelter needs’ of Guyanese are of paramount importance to the Government and so, at the design stage of this programme, a decision was made to widen its reach to give direct attention to hinterland communities.
The total cost of the hinterland programme is US$1M, which will provide 208 subsidies (for122 houses and 86 roofs). The building materials (bricks and timber) and labour are sourced from the communities themselves, causing not only those who benefit to gain but the entire communities, as well.
The home owners were thrilled to receive their keys. Noting that, for all of them it is a new beginning, Riley Fredricks, whose newly built house was the venue for the handing over ceremony, said he was extremely happy with the fact that his daughter can walk to school with ease.
Another recipient, Timothy Daniels commended the Government, not just for this initiative but all the other programmes from which residents of the Region have been benefiting.