THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is gearing towards the Perseverance Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Demerara becoming a model community that will reintroduce the observance of zoning and other construction rules and guidelines of the State.
This was highlighted when the Ministry of Housing’s CH&PA gave a mid-year update on its projects and performance two Mondays ago. It was noted that meaningful steps are being taken to correct the situation by having contractors and home owners observe regulations that maintain the organisation and safety of the building industry.

CH&PA’s Operations Director, Denise King-Tudor, told the media that the CH&PA has recognised that over the years, observance of specific construction rules has been ignored, leading to the disorganisation of the sector.
She noted that the planning arm of the CH&PA has been engaging numerous stakeholders, especially authorities at the local level to re-energise them in relation to the enforcement of construction by-laws. Outreaches, she said, were also done with the various local authorities in relation to their awareness in their capacity on how to deal with building applications in planning and development.

“We are also preparing a planning scheme for Perseverance … that planning scheme will address zoning in that area, the implementation of bylaws to guide homeowners and developers with respect to their extending of properties.”
Using the Perseverance area as a pilot project, Tudor said that other housing developments are expected to observe the available legislation that govern the construction industry.
She said moves were also initiated during the outreaches to review and update planning policies and guidelines, because of the lack of coordination and the fragment-like legislation that currently exists.

Tudor opined that different signals are being sent in relation to different issues concerning the industry, so work will be done to harmonise regulations and guidelines.
The issues of zoning and building guidelines remain a tough one for housing authorities, as many do not have the manpower to enforce building laws. This has been the case with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council; for example, where construction within the city has deteriorated as a result of failing to enforce building rules.

Citizens have complained about residential areas becoming industrial sites for example, because of numerous businesses being established in those locations, some becoming a nuisance to residents.
The Perseverance location however, is part of the Ministry of Housing’s Housing Solutions 2017 and beyond initiative. It was there that the ministry’s first housing exhibition was held weeks ago, with the introduction of duplex houses to Guyanese for the first time.
Apart from single units, 40 more duplexes will be built in Perseverance, along with 20 three- bedroom homes. Two road contracts have also been awarded for the construction of roads in that area.