-massive infrastructure push sees thousands housed, roads built, jobs created, Croal, Rodrigues say

MORE than 27,000 house lots have been allocated to young people as part of the government’s ongoing drive to improve access to housing, according to new data from the Ministry of Housing and Water.

The figures also show that 21,493 lots representing 43 per cent of the total allocations, went to single women, including single mothers.

The distribution forms part of a wider programme aimed at supporting low, moderate, and middle-income families, who received 90 per cent of all allocations, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues said, while addressing the 2025 International Building Expo launch on Thursday.

She noted that this initiative is designed to tackle poverty, encourage home ownership, and promote financial independence across the country.

Over the past five years, the government has supplemented its efforts by offering subsidies and facilitating construction loans at low interest rates, making homebuilding more accessible.

“In the past five years, we have also supported families with subsidies to help with construction. Loans are more affordable because of low interest rates, and we have already committed that we will not stop until everyone who has a pending application receives their land,” she said.

This year’s expo is being held under the theme ‘The Road to Success: Guyana 2030 and Beyond,’ and will run until Sunday. The highly anticipated event is being held at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The event features some 380 booths and 29 international exhibitors all showcasing the latest innovations and trends in the housing and construction sectors.

“The lives of these families are being changed forever, and they are now on the trajectory of accessing financing, owning a home and providing a place that is safe and secure for their families in a community that will be fully equipped with infrastructure, utilities, access to government services and recreational facilities,” she added.

Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal highlighted that in addition to land distribution, the housing programme has sparked a wave of development and economic activity.

Over 202 contracting firms have been engaged in home construction, creating employment for more than 10,000 local workers. The development of more than 20,000 acres of virgin land has seen a total investment exceeding $250 billion.

The government has also made major strides in infrastructure. Over 60,000 kilometres of macro roads including major highways have been initiated, with highway investments alone surpassing $133 billion. A further 517 kilometres of community roads have been paved, reflecting the government’s recognition of the importance of reliable secondary and neighbourhood road networks.

There has also been over $500,000,000 in steel and cement subsidies given to 2,500 Guyanese.

“By 2030 our housing sector will continue to be the strongest, as it is in the Caribbean, a model for how small countries can think big, plan wisely and act decisively. The road ahead, therefore, is bright, but only if we walk it together. The next chapter of Guyana’s story must be written by a government that understands what it takes to deliver,” Minister Croal said.