By Bebi Shafeah Oosman
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the government will soon roll out a new social housing programme to construct homes for some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens, including persons living with severe disabilities and single parents facing extreme circumstances.
The president made the announcement in Region Six on Saturday during a series of public consultations on the government’s Model Village Initiative, whereby he outlined several housing and development measures aimed at addressing the needs of residents.
President Ali said the new programme will specifically target vulnerable persons who may face significant challenges accessing adequate housing through conventional means.
“We also know there is a need for persons who require housing, social housing, persons living with extreme forms of disabilities, single parents living with extreme circumstances, vulnerable populations in extreme situations, so we will start a programme building houses,” the president said.
He also highlighted housing demand and supporting infrastructure among the key issues being addressed in Region Six, while committing to satisfying the region’s housing needs.
“There are some key challenges in Region Six that we want to address, and we are working to ensure that we satisfy 100 per cent of your housing needs before the end of this year. Within the next two years, you will have all the infrastructure completed,” President Ali said.
The Head of State stressed that every eligible resident of Region Six with a pending housing application is expected to receive an allocation by the end of the year.
The social-housing initiative, he said, will provide an additional avenue of assistance for persons who may be unable to secure adequate housing because of difficult social or economic circumstances.
President Ali also announced a second initiative through which residents will receive support to establish the foundations for their homes, providing additional assistance to families as they move towards home ownership.
Meanwhile, addressing residents at the Tain Campus of the University of Guyana, President Ali emphasised that the Model Village Initiative extends beyond physical infrastructure and beautification.
He said creating modern and liveable communities also requires responsible citizens who care for their surroundings, look out for their neighbours and contribute to maintaining safe and welcoming environments.
The president said the government also wants citizens to receive a higher standard of service from public institutions.
“We want to have services where people can enjoy going for services. We can have government workers responding to you professionally,” he said.
President Ali stressed that “no amount of investment or beautification” alone can transform communities, unless residents also take responsibility for their surroundings and how they treat each other.
“We have to build a sense of commitment across government services,” he added, while calling for greater professionalism and responsiveness in the delivery of services to citizens.
The president also signalled further economic-development initiatives involving the Guyana Development Bank.
He said ministers, Members of Parliament and regional officials will return within two weeks to identify and develop clusters that could benefit from financing and support through the bank.
“The ministers, the MPs and the regional people will come back in two weeks. We will develop clusters we want to work with on the Guyana Development Bank,” President Ali said.
He noted that those clusters could support initiatives such as tunnel houses, shade houses and other income-generating ventures, creating additional opportunities for residents to participate in the country’s economic development.
