IN a bid to uplift living standards and promote homeownership, the government of Guyana has extended its Laing Avenue Housing Grant to an additional 30 households.

Each household received $250,000 to procure building materials for repairing their homes, as announced during a distribution ceremony held at St. Pius Primary School in Georgetown.

This recent disbursement of funds supplements the initial allocation given to 60 households in late January, aligning with Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s commitment made in November 2023 to improve the quality of life for families in the area.

The vouchers were presented to the recipients by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, alongside Sherwyn Greaves, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), and Donell Bess-Bascom, Deputy Director of Community Development at CH&PA.

Minister Croal emphasised that the grants were part of the government’s multifaceted approach to encourage homeownership, alongside initiatives such as the Steel and Cement Housing Subsidy vouchers and the home construction programme by the Housing and Water Ministry.

Sherwyn Greaves, CEO of CH&PA, highlighted the positive impact the programme will have on residents’ lives and its potential as a model for future national housing initiatives.

Expressions of gratitude poured in from beneficiaries, who see the vouchers as transformative. Renwick McDonald, one of the recipients, lauded the initiative, stating, “I think it’s a good initiative and I think everybody should be able to capitalise on it, all those in need.”

McDonald plans to utilise the funds to repair his home’s ceiling and floor, addressing issues of water seepage during rainfall. Another beneficiary, Sandra Primo, expressed gratitude, especially considering her mobility challenges due to a hip injury. She intends to use the assistance to upgrade her sanitary facility, which currently consists of an outdoor toilet, benefitting both herself and her family.

Meanwhile, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo led community engagements in various neighbourhoods, outlining the government’s development plans for Georgetown. These plans include the upgrading of community roads and footpaths, as well as the rehabilitation of recreational facilities around the city. Residents were encouraged to take advantage of initiatives such as part-time job opportunities and the GOAL Scholarship programme to improve their quality of life.

The Ministry’s Housing Development programme aims to implement national housing and settlement policies efficiently, aiming for sustainable, affordable, and modern settlements across the country. During community engagements, the Ministry’s team documented residents’ queries and provided solutions, demonstrating a commitment to addressing citizens’ needs at the grassroots level.