As the government continues to prioritize homeownership for vulnerable populations, five low-income individuals on the East Bank of Demerara received Core Homes under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).
Minister Croal hands over the keys to one of the homes
The homes were handed over by Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues; and Deputy Director of Community Development-CH&PA, Donell Bess-Bascom, and team.
Arissa Richmond, a mother of five, was moved to tears expressing her relief after moving from place to place for 14 years.
“Now there’s no more moving for me because I have my own home […] no rent, just light bill, nobody to tell you anything, you go can come as you like, you feel comfortable in your own home.” She and her children are excited to settle into their newly built Core Home.
Another recipient, Debra Best, who uses a walker for mobility, highlighted that she previously rented and is now happy to have a place to call her own.
“I was renting a place and it was deplorable. Then the people told me that I had to leave and I’m now presently at my grandson’s home.” Special rails were installed in her new home to enhance her accessibility.
However, Minister Croal emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of vulnerable populations through the Ministry’s national housing programme and AHUAP.
“This is fulfilling one aspect of what we do, catering to a vulnerable segment of our population. Allocating low-income house lots, is one aspect and this project is another.”
He noted that over $1 billion is being invested along the East Bank of Demerara through the AHUAP for Core Homes, the Home Improvement Subsidy, and other programme components. An additional 80 homes for the EBD are currently at the procurement stage.
Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues related that, including the homes handed over today, 121 Core Homes were handed over since 2020.
All beneficiaries were selected for the programme and applications are closed. Minister Rodrigues added that through the Home Improvement Subsidy Initiative, 900 beneficiaries were selected and 600 were disbursed.
The subsidies, increased from $500,000 to $750,000, help individuals with deplorable homes acquire building materials. Under the Core Home Support initiative, a total of 323 beneficiaries have been selected. Each home costs approximately $5 million.
AHUAP is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
