THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is urging squatters to commence the process to land ownership before the agency rolls out its action plan against illegal occupancy, which could very well commence before yearend.
The Authority, in its mid-year update, has reported that of the some 1200 illegal occupants squatting within the capital, at least 400 have been interviewed with the intention of initiating the process to land and home-ownership.
This is according to CH&PA Community Development Director, Mr Gladwin Charles, who insists that the earlier squatters engage the ministry, the earlier they would be able to relocate to their new property.
Charles told the media that squatting remains a major concern and challenge to the housing department, resulting in the drafting of an action plan that will see the removal of squatters, in particularly critical zones within the city.
“This year, we are looking to have our action plan completed… And even before then, persons must come in to start the process,” Charles said, adding that of the 400 squatters already interviewed, 198 have received house lots.
Outside of this, he said, 350 property titles are being processed, and 185 have already been completed.
Work on the action plan, he said, began since earlier in the year, with particular emphasis on areas designated “zero tolerance” for squatting. A consultancy firm was hired, while an inter-agency team, comprising representatives from various agencies, was also brought in to help make the transition process easier for the family.
He also touched on reports that as recent as last week, new squatters were taking up positions on dams in the Sophia area.
According to information reaching the CH&PA, Charles said, whereas before squatters tended to erect temporary shelters, or shacks as they’re called, this new breed are building better structures, in the hope that by so doing will pre-qualify them for a home when it’s time for them to be removed.
Noting that such a ploy is unnecessary, Charles said that as Guyanese, one has no earthly reason to squat to have access to property.
And while on the subject of access and right to property, he said that Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has been singled out for special attention this year, ostensibly to either relocate or regulate the over 1000 squatter households on New Amsterdam’s Angoy’s Avenue.
And according to CEO, Mr Lelon Saul, the Authority has plans to develop an area here in the city where it hopes to relocate persons squatting in areas such as Tucville, East and West Front Road.
Saul said, too, that in the medium to long term, a grant will be slated for relocating those identified squatters.

Operations Director, Denise King-Tudor told the media that the CH&PA has registered 3000 persons to obtain housing solutions following the recently held Housing Expo, which introduced duplex houses to Guyana.
The Authority for this year targeted 2000 persons for property access, and thus far, 355 potential homeowners have accessed housing solutions, while another 1855 persons have accessed titles for their properties, which included existing properties that required remedial work. Tudor said that to meet the Authority’s target would depend on the availability of property, since the government will construct and issue over 700 housing units this year along with house lots.
She went in-depth about Housing’s moves towards improving their planning system, and the partnerships that are currently being developed to improve it.
Out of a National Planning Forum, Tudor said an action plan was developed to better improve the entire housing sector in relation to housing designs, rules and regulations and their adherence by contractors and homeowners.