IN a move aimed at fostering homeownership and advancing regional development, more than forty residents of Berbice were recipients of Steel and Cement Housing Subsidy vouchers during an outreach at the Regional Housing Office in New Amsterdam on Wednesday.

The distribution event saw beneficiaries being presented with their vouchers by key officials, including the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Mr. Sherwyn Greaves; and Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan.

Minister Croal highlighted the significance of the vouchers, stating that they represent an injection of over $9 million to facilitate homeownership in the region. He emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting citizens in their quest for homeownership.

“The issuance of these vouchers underscores our dedication to facilitating homeownership opportunities,” Minister Croal remarked.

Mr. Greaves echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of maximising the value of the vouchers to enable beneficiaries to procure building materials effectively.

Furthermore, Minister Croal outlined various initiatives from the Housing Ministry to ensure that residents of Region Six benefit from the national housing programme. Over the past few years, more than one thousand three hundred house lots have been allocated in the region, with two hundred homes constructed. Additionally, the Ministry has allocated over $25 billion for infrastructure projects and home construction since 2020.

Addressing the region’s backlog of house lot applications, Minister Croal mentioned plans to acquire more lands, acknowledging the challenge of balancing competing interests, particularly with the agriculture sector.

The outreach also provided an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns regarding housing and water issues. Technical staff from CH&PA and representatives from Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) were present to assist residents with their queries.

Meanwhile, in Region Five, the Ministry hosted a similar outreach, allowing around sixty persons allocated lands at the Balthyock Housing Scheme to process their Agreement of Sale and sign-up for their Land Titles, further underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing housing initiatives across the country.