$1.8B housing development at St Cuthbert’s Mission to deliver 2000 house lots

– Blocks 1, 5 at Diamond set for August, September completion

A new housing development at St Cuthbert’s Mission along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is set to provide approximately 2000 house lots upon completion as part of ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities along the corridor.
The first phase of the project spans approximately 144 acres and will deliver about 500 house lots, with infrastructure works already underway. The development represents an estimated investment of $1.8 billion and will include key infrastructure such as roads and water networks.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Dr Martin Pertab, and team on Friday visited the area to assess the progress of the project.

Dr Pertab explained that the overall development is expected to cover approximately 450 acres and will primarily target low- and middle-income earners, including informal settlers and residents from communities along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
He added that the project will also support the Government’s housing programme focused on providing affordable one- and two-bedroom homes for very low-income earners once the necessary infrastructure is completed.
Meanwhile, Dr Pertab, along with a team of engineers and technical staff, conducted a site visit to assess ongoing electrical distribution works at Blocks 1 and 5, Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Works at Block 1 are approximately 60 per cent complete, with completion targeted for September 20, 2026. Current activities include pole planting, installation of guy wires, earth and switches, and the stringing and tensioning of primary and secondary conductors.
At Block 5, works are 70 per cent complete, with an expected completion date of August 30, 2026. The contractor is undertaking pole planting, installation of guy wires, transformers and switches, and the stringing of primary and secondary conductors.
The electrification works form part of CH&PA’s ongoing infrastructure programme, with approximately $220 million being invested to benefit some 3200 lots across the housing schemes.
Dr Pertab noted that the provision of electricity and other essential utilities, including water, is critical to boosting occupancy, while the completion of road networks will continue as occupancy increases.