IN a major stride toward fulfilling its housing pledge, the Ministry of Housing and Water allocated over 600 house lots to residents of Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica) on Friday, as part of the “Dream Realised” Housing Drive. With these latest allocations at Plantation ‘A’ Bath and Block ‘B’ Experiment Housing Schemes, the government has now assigned over 38,000 house lots since taking office, marking a significant push toward sustainable home-ownership.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, underscored the government’s dedication to providing housing solutions that reflect Guyana’s rich values and culture. “Home-ownership is more than just allocation,” he said. “We are dedicated to making the process as seamless as possible for all beneficiaries.” The $1.2 billion invested in the first phase of the new housing zones, he noted, will support the development of sustainable housing complexes that cater to a growing demand for housing across the country.

For some residents, the journey to home-ownership has been long, with years spent awaiting responses from the housing ministry. Minister Croal acknowledged these delays but assured residents that the government is expediting the processing of Agreements of Sale and Titles. “We are working around the clock,” he affirmed. “If you haven’t heard from us, it doesn’t mean you’ve been forgotten.”

Since 2020, the government has invested over $8 billion in Region Five’s infrastructure, including $2 billion in Shieldstown and $820 million in the Burma Housing Scheme. This substantial financial commitment underscores the PPP/C government’s intention to provide quality housing for all regions. Minister Susan Rodrigues, the Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, noted that Region Five now has the second-highest housing demand in Guyana, following Region Four. Over 1,000 house lots have been distributed in Region Five since 2020, with the current allocations further reducing the backlog of applications.

Minister Rodrigues explained that the government approaches each housing development project with tailored strategies to address unique regional challenges, allowing for a more flexible and inclusive housing policy. She emphasised that the allocated lots, subsidised by 80–85 percent, make home-ownership increasingly accessible for all Guyanese.

The “Dream Realised” housing drive was attended by key officials, including Permanent Secretary, Bishram Kuppen; CEO of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves; Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal; and Member of Parliament, Faizal Jaffarally. Both Mr. Ramphal and MP Jaffarally praised the government’s commitment to improving housing access and infrastructure for Region Five residents.

Looking forward, the Ministry announced that, on October 18, another 1,000 house lots will be made available for development in Moleson Creek, Berbice. The strategic location of Moleson Creek, near the planned bridge between Guyana and Suriname, presents an opportunity for the area to become a central hub for residential and commercial development in Berbice.

Although some residents have expressed concerns about Moleson Creek’s remote location, Minister Croal assured that extensive development plans are in place. The scarcity of available land in Berbice, due to competing demands for agriculture, cash crops, and livestock production, makes Moleson Creek an ideal area for residential expansion.

Through consistent efforts and strategic investments, the Ministry of Housing and Water continues to turn the dream of home-ownership into a reality for thousands of Guyanese, one region at a time.