–with new homes under Hinterland Housing Programme

TEN families in Crashwater, Region Nine, are celebrating a brighter holiday season with their new homes under the government’s Hinterland Housing Programme.
The homes were officially handed over by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and Permanent Secretary, Bishram Kuppen, marking a transformative step towards safer and improved living conditions for the beneficiaries.
According to information from the Ministry of Housing and Water, some of the homeowners were visibly emotional, underscoring the programme’s impact in enhancing lives and fostering sustainable communities.

Joining the Minister at the handover were Regional Vice Chairman of Region Nine, Bertie Xavier; CH&PA’s Senior Engineer for Hinterland Housing, Cy Rodrigues; and GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailal, among other officials.
The 10 homes, each measuring 20×25 feet, were constructed at no cost to the beneficiaries and totaled approximately $25.5 million. Materials and labour were sourced locally, further benefitting the community’s economy.
Minister Croal highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable hinterland families have access to sustainable and affordable housing solutions.

Additionally, the minister announced plans to expand Crashwater’s water supply system in the coming year as part of the government’s goal to achieve 100 per cent access to potable water by 2025.
Speaking to the overall development, he said that the central government has invested some $32 billion over the past four years to develop various sectors in the region, with close to $2 billion expended in the housing and water sector.
Permanent Secretary Kuppen emphasised the government’s dedication to serving its citizens, noting: “This is evidence of a caring ministry and a caring government and the fact that we are here to serve you, the residents of Crashwater.”

In Region Nine alone, 120 homes are being constructed under the Hinterland Housing Programme, targeting villages such as Crashwater, Tiger Pond, Yurong Paru, Rupunau, and Shea. With the handover, 40 families in the region have now received keys to their new homes.
Overall, the Hinterland Housing Programme will see the construction of 400 homes across Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine, reinforcing the government’s commitment to creating equitable opportunities and uplifting hinterland communities.