–says CH&PA’s CEO

THE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves on Monday emphasised that the government’s housing drive is synonymous with the creation of employment.

Greaves, while speaking at the launch and opening of the application process for the recently announced Home Construction Assistance Programme said: “This will not only help the landowners; it will at the same time provide employment for our citizens across the country.”

He also stated that the agency will soon be inviting individuals, groups and companies to express their interest in providing various skills and services for the initiative.

Additionally, CEO Greaves stated that the programme will also stir economic activity as it is already being expanded to cover other administrative regions and is expected to be rolled out in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) before the end of the week.

The programme, which is the brainchild of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, seeks to accelerate the government’s housing drive, while also addressing challenges faced by Guyanese families who have acquired government or private lands, but are unable to build their homes due to the inaccessibility of financing, and issues with contractors.

“We promised 50,000 house lots, which we have been ensuring that we make available to the citizens, but we have been adamant that our primary focus is homeownership; ensuring that Guyanese move from being renters to becoming homeowners,” Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues said at the launching.

She added: “What we found is that in some cases, there is a disconnect, and there is more help that is needed, especially for our low-income earners.”

Through the programme, the CH&PA and the banking institutions will now be under one roof at CH&PA’s Head Office on Brickdam, Georgetown.

According to a press release, so far, the New Building Society (NBS) and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited are on board. Applicants will be assisted with the process of bank financing to meet the cost of construction.

CH&PA will be constructing the homes for the applicants, who can choose from three pre-designed units, costing $7 million, $9 million and $12 million.