–President Ali announces

THE Government of Guyana continues its unwavering commitment to the development of the nation’s housing sector, with a signsificant project which would benefit single mothers on the cards for completion in six months.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, addressing the recent opening of Building Expo 20204, unveiled a series of plans for the housing sector that left attendees both impressed and optimistic.

Among these initiatives, the new Homestead Programme stood out for its innovation. This groundbreaking project, long on the government’s agenda, is not merely a pipe dream but a concrete plan with an ambitious goal – 500 homes to be built in just six months.

What sets this programme apart is its laser focus on a demographic often overlooked in housing initiatives in past years, single mothers.

President Ali shared the details of this revolutionary project, stating: “We are launching a new innovative project called the Homestead Programme on the Linden Soesdyke highway.”

He added: “Before the end of this year, we want to build one of the fastest communities in the history of our country and the history of this hemisphere. We want to deliver 500 homes in six months, a remarkable task before us. But it’s not just delivering the homes. These homes will be delivered to single mothers. Single mothers who will be the homeowners.”

Multiple ministries will collaborate on an unprecedented scale to integrate sustainable agriculture into the very fabric of these new communities. Each home will be equipped with agricultural facilities and harness the power of solar energy, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for its residents.

President Ali elaborated on the economic model underpinning the project, noting: “It is an economic model that we are going to test. These homes will be small farmsteads. So, for the first time, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Survey, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Human Services will be working together to deliver this project.

“It will include a shade house to the back of the home. It will include farm and crop and solar energy. It will reduce our cost of energy. We give you an opportunity to earn by including an economic activity in the plot of land that will repay your loan, and we give you a chance to graduate out of poverty into a middle-income family.”

This visionary approach seeks to address not just the immediate housing needs of single mothers, but also to provide them with the tools and opportunities for long-term financial stability.

By combining housing with sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, the government aims to create a model of self-sufficiency that could improve community development across Guyana.

The President emphasised that initiatives like the Homestead Programme are born out of a deep commitment to the welfare of all Guyanese citizens.

“And who are we giving that chance to? The most vulnerable in our society, single mothers,” he stated, adding: “We’re going to empower them to be the best they can be. And that programme, the planning for that programme would have already started, and within two weeks we should have the design, layout, and works will commence to deliver the 500 homesteads to our single mothers.”

By focusing on single mothers, the Homestead Programme acknowledges the unique challenges faced by this demographic and seeks to provide them with not just shelter, but a pathway to economic independence and a brighter future for their families.