– new CH&PA initiative to expand from Region Three to housing schemes nationwide
THE Government has launched a new housing initiative aimed at helping house lot beneficiaries take the first major step towards homeownership, with the introduction of a Foundation Programme that will provide standardised reinforced concrete foundations to support the construction of new houses.
The programme, unveiled by the Ministry of Housing through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), is being rolled out initially in the Leonora and Meten-Meer-Zorg Housing Schemes in Region Three before being expanded to housing developments across the country in the coming months.
Officials say the initiative is intended to remove one of the key barriers faced by many new landowners by providing engineered foundations that allow beneficiaries to begin constructing their homes more quickly and at a lower initial cost.
The programme also forms part of the Government’s wider strategy to accelerate housing development, increase occupancy in newly developed housing schemes and expand Guyana’s housing stock to meet growing demand.
Under the Foundation Programme, beneficiaries will be able to choose from three standardised reinforced concrete foundation designs suitable for houses measuring 400, 600 and 950 square feet.
The foundation options have been developed to accommodate varying family needs while ensuring each structure complies with established engineering standards and construction specifications.
Housing Minister Collin Croal said the initiative represents another practical intervention designed to bridge the gap between receiving a house lot and constructing a permanent home.
He noted that many beneficiaries face financial and technical challenges after obtaining land, making the construction of a foundation one of the most significant hurdles in the homebuilding process.
“Owning a house lot is only the beginning of the journey. This Foundation Programme is intended to help beneficiaries move from ownership of land to the construction of a home. By providing a strong and reliable starting point, we are making it easier for families to begin building and creating lasting communities,” the minister said.
The programme aligns with the CH&PA’s mandate to provide affordable housing opportunities for low-, moderate- and middle-income families while advancing national goals of expanding access to safe, resilient and affordable housing.
Government officials have repeatedly emphasised that increasing homeownership remains a central pillar of Guyana’s national development strategy, with housing investment seen as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation and improved living standards.
Over the past several years, thousands of house lots have been allocated across the country as the administration seeks to meet rising demand generated by rapid economic expansion and population growth.
Officials believe the new Foundation Programme will encourage beneficiaries to develop their properties more quickly, helping to create fully occupied and sustainable communities while reducing the number of undeveloped lots within new housing schemes.
Although the initiative has been launched in Leonora and Meten-Meer-Zorg, the Ministry has confirmed that it will be introduced progressively in housing developments across other regions, allowing more Guyanese families to benefit from the programme.
The phased expansion is expected to provide greater support to prospective homeowners nationwide, particularly first-time landowners seeking practical assistance to begin construction.
Among those attending the launch were Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn; Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon; CH&PA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Martin Pertab; Regional Chairman, Inshan Ayube; CH&PA Director of Projects, Omar Narine; Director of Operations, Denise King-Tudor and other technical officials.
The Foundation Programme joins a series of housing initiatives introduced by the Government to improve access to affordable homeownership while supporting the construction of safe, durable houses and fostering the development of modern, well-planned communities across Guyana.
As Guyana’s housing sector continues to expand alongside the country’s broader economic transformation, officials say initiatives such as the Foundation Programme are intended to ensure that more families can move beyond land ownership to achieving the long-term goal of owning a completed house.
