24 Region 2 beneficiaries receive steel, cement in homebuilding support

– as Govt invests over $7.5M in subsidy initiative

As part of its continued support to ensure affordable home construction for low- and middle-income Guyanese, the Ministry of Housing and Water on Thursday issued steel and cement vouchers to 24 new beneficiaries in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) during a house lot allotment exercise in Anna Regina.
The initiative forms part of the Government’s steel and cement subsidy programme that aims to provide tangible material assistance to persons building their homes on Government-allocated lands.

“Today, we are issuing vouchers to 24 persons under the steel and cement subsidy. This is an investment of $5.5 million being made right here in Region Two,” Minister Croal stated. He noted that to date, the region has seen a total of 189 vouchers issued, with a cumulative value of $7.3 million invested to support homebuilders along the Essequibo Coast.
“Prior to today, 189 vouchers had already been issued in Region Two under this programme, representing an investment of $7.3 million,” Croal disclosed.
The steel and cement subsidy programme allows eligible persons to receive either cement only (for foundation construction) or both steel and cement, depending on their income bracket and stage of construction.

The initiative was launched by Government in 2022 to accelerate homeownership and ease the financial burden on first-time homebuilders.
Nationally, the Government has already distributed over 2,000 vouchers, representing more than $500 million invested into the homebuilding sector.
Minister Croal stressed that this intervention goes beyond numbers—it is a demonstration of Government’s commitment to helping families turn allocations into actual homes.
“When you want to know where your money is going…this is where it’s going. Over half a billion dollars have been invested so far in over 2,000 vouchers across the country.” Minister Croal Said
The Minister also added that the steel and cement initiative complements the broader national housing programme by ensuring that allocations are not just pieces of paper, but the beginning of real home construction.
“This programme helps our citizens move from allocation to action. It supports families with the materials they need to start building a future,” he explained.
Croal also highlighted that this subsidy is one of several targeted interventions aimed at stimulating the housing sector while improving the quality of life for Guyanese. “This initiative is making a difference, especially in regions like Region Two, where persons can now access the resources needed to begin their homebuilding journey,” he said.

The Ministry he noted will continue to roll out the subsidy programme across other regions, in tandem with ongoing house lot allocations and infrastructural development.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva lauded the steel and cement subsidy initiative as a transformative initiative that empowers Region Two residents to move confidently toward homeownership.
She praised the Ministry for its proactive approach in ensuring that residents are not only allocated land but are also given the necessary support to begin construction.
She further noted that the Government is committed to improving people’s lives in tangible ways, pointing out that programmes like these make homeownership more attainable and sustainable.
“There is so much more on offer to ensure that our people can live better and more comfortably. This is about real progress for the people of Region Two,” she said.