FOUR families residing in Good Hope and Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, celebrated a significant improvement in their quality of life as they were presented with keys to newly constructed, two-bedroom core homes.

This achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).

The proud homeowners, namely Ms. Chandradai Harilall of Lot 218 Good Hope, Mr. Tulsiram Sutraban of Lot 147 Area X Plantation Good Hope, Ms. Pranpattie Mangal of Lot 507 Good Hope, and Ms. Sabrina Joseph of Lot 396 Lusignan, were joined by Minister within the Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, and IDB Country Representative, Ms. Lorena Solórzano-Salazar, as they officially gained access to their new homes.

Minister Rodrigues emphasised the significance of the Core Home initiative in enhancing the government’s housing drive by targetting the most vulnerable segments of society. She commended the Ministry and the IDB for effectively executing the project, ensuring it reached its intended beneficiaries. The Minister also highlighted how the selection process prioritised transforming the lives of the most vulnerable families and improving their living conditions.

Echoing similar sentiments, IDB Country Representative Ms. Solórzano-Salazar, expressed satisfaction with the partnership between the bank and the Ministry. She acknowledged the longstanding collaboration and mentioned that the current programme, which has already benefitted 360 families, builds upon previous initiatives like the Hinterland Housing Programme. The representative stressed that the programme’s comprehensive approach aims to enhance the overall quality of life for vulnerable families by addressing various components of community development.

The AHUAP programme, funded by the IDB, focuses on improving the quality of life in urban and peri-urban areas of Georgetown. Its objectives include providing better access to adequate housing, basic infrastructure, and improved accessibility and mobility services for low-income populations. Alongside the Core Home initiative, AHUAP also offers the Home Improvement Subsidy, which grants beneficiaries $500,000 worth of materials to undertake crucial repairs in their homes. Additionally, the programme prioritises the safety of women and girls by conducting Women’s Safety Audit (WSA) workshops, which aid in planning infrastructure development in targetted communities.

Previously encompassing communities from Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, up to La Bonne Intention on the East Coast of Demerara, and Westminster, Onderneeming, Recht-Door-Zee, Lust en Rust, and Parfaite Harmonie Phase II on the West Bank of Demerara, the AHUAP programme expanded its coverage in 2021 to include nineteen communities on the East Coast of Demerara, extending the boundary all the way to Victoria.

The completion and handover of these new core homes signify a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to uplift vulnerable families and enhance their living conditions. As the government and the IDB continue their collaborative endeavors, many more families across Guyana’s East Coast will have the opportunity to experience an improved quality of life and greater access to adequate housing.