1,500 house lots distributed at 1st ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive for 2024 in Reg 3

– house lots awarded at Wales housing development

Some 1,500 residents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Friday received their house lots during the Housing and Water Ministry’s first ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive for 2024 at the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) compound at Klein Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
The recipients were allocated lands at Wales Phase Two housing development, which is scheduled for massive upgrades this year. The new scheme would accommodate about 5,000 residents and would be outfitted with a nursery, primary and secondary schools; a post office, a playground, a police station, a daycare centre, a magistrate’s court, and other amenities.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal underscored that billions of dollars have been expended to develop new and existing housing areas as well as road networks over the past three years. In 2023, infrastructural works in Leonora, Stewartsville, and Meten-Meer-Zorg were completed to the tune of $16.6 billion.
Works on various community roads are 90 per cent completed. During last year, $5.6 billion was spent on the community roads in the region. In one and a half years, 107 two- and three-bedroom houses were also completed and distributed along the West Coast of Demerara.
“We have another 337 under construction within the Leonora/Edinburgh area. The total for these houses, not taking into consideration the infrastructure costs, is about $2.6 billion investment here on the West Coast of Demerara. We still have to cater for hundreds more,” he highlighted.
In addition, the Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, underscored that the housing programme is far more impactful, as it speaks to homeownership, empowerment, job opportunities, and the overall transformation of Guyana.

“That is the ultimate independence for the people of our country…When you own your own home, you control your own life…You don’t have a landlord that you have to answer to. You don’t live in a sense of uncertainty, wondering if you would have to relocate your life at some point,” he explained.
The region has the second highest housing demand in the country, and Friday’s distribution reduces the list by 13 per cent.
Also delivering remarks were the Permanent Secretary of the Housing and Water Ministry, Bisham Kuppen; CHPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Sherwyn Greaves; and Regional Chairman Inshan Ayube.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Esther Persaud, said she has been beyond satisfied, since she applied for the house lot since 2008. Battling to contain her tears, Persaud told the media, “It means a lot to me, because it is the first time I will be owning a home.”
Another happy landowner, Bibi Rabia Khan, was relieved when she received the call yesterday for her land, since she applied for it in 2012. “It is great! I have been waiting a while, and the day is finally here. I’m really happy that I can start my own home and plan for the future,” Khan said.
Another beneficiary, Kortis Simon, expressed, “I feel excited to know that I can provide a stable home for my family.”
Cecil King said he is happy to be closer to owning his own home. “To be here today is a good moment for me. I am excited to start building my dream home,” King expressed.
Also, Tatum Khan said, “I feel good that they finally called. It is good to get something of your own. With how the country is going now with development, this is a very good opportunity for us as a family.”
Only recently, Minister Rodrigues revealed that 18 areas have already been earmarked for new housing developments.
“In these 18 areas, it will yield over 24,000 lots, which means that everybody from the backlog up to 2019 will be addressed in our first term in office,” she said.
As part of its manifesto, the PPP/C had promised to deliver 50,000 house lots by the end of its first term in office; and although over 30,000 house lots have been allocated so far, Minister Rodrigues highlighted, a backlog still exists.
Region Five alone has 2,852 applications pending for residential house lots, and Region Four has about 38,000 applications pending.
The minister highlighted a range of initiatives implemented to ensure persons have access to affordable housing opportunities, including investments in infrastructure, land acquisition for housing purposes, removal of taxes on construction materials, and provision of subsidies to assist individuals to commence construction of their homes.
Minister Rodrigues has also emphasised that individuals must adhere to the application process, and that allocation would be done within the framework of an “organized and sustainable” housing development strategy.
The Government has allocated $75 billion in its 2024 budget to continue the housing programme. Some 10,000 house lots are scheduled to be distributed this year.