—Vice President says government will purchase private lands, develop new housing schemes to meet growing demand
VICE President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has assured Region Five residents that all persons who applied for house lots before December 2025, and even some applicants from 2026, will receive their allocations by the end of 2027 as the Government moves to address the region’s housing backlog.
The commitment was made during the Vice President’s public outreach in the region on Friday, where he addressed residents and officials at the Regional Democratic Council’s compound in Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice.
“So, by the end of next year we can clear everybody who have applied; they will get their houselots. So that’s a commitment we’re making,” Dr Jagdeo told residents.
He explained that while the Government remains committed to meeting housing demand, one of the major challenges in Region Five is the limited availability of state-owned lands suitable for housing development.
“We’re looking for the land now to buy from private people to convert into housing. But the unfortunate thing about this region is the Government doesn’t own much land. It’s all in private hands, so we would have to buy land now to do that,” the Vice President said.
Despite this challenge, Dr Jagdeo assured residents that the administration is prepared to acquire private lands and invest in the infrastructure required to develop new housing schemes.
“I can assure you that once you applied before December 2025, and even for some people who have applied in 2026, the latest you will get your houselot will be by the end of next year. That is a commitment we made because we’re going to purchase the land and develop it,” he stated.
Against this backdrop, he encouraged residents attending the outreach to engage directly with officials from the Ministry of Housing to resolve outstanding matters relating to their applications.
“Today I want you to sit, talk to the staff here and please let everyone know where they stand. Every one of you, so you have a clear idea,” he said.
The Vice President noted that senior government officials, including ministers and housing personnel, were present throughout the day to work through residents’ concerns.
Meanwhile, Dr Jagdeo revealed that the Government is preparing to launch a major housing assistance initiative aimed at helping Guyanese build and improve their homes.
He noted that the programme was promised in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) 2025 manifesto and will be unveiled by President Dr Irfaan Ali in the near future.
“Very soon, the President will launch a comprehensive programme. We promised in our 2025 manifesto that we want to assist people to build,” Dr Jagdeo disclosed.
According to him, the initiative will include support for social housing as well as direct assistance to homeowners.
“The programme will speak about some social housing, and it will speak about the assistance that we will give. As soon as the President speaks more about this, the kind of assistance we will give to people to build and improve their homes [will be known],” he said.
