Nicola Thompson collecting her Certificate of Inspection from Minister Croal
Five low-income families from Onderneeming and Lust-en-Rust in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) have been presented with keys to new core homes by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal.
Under the umbrella of the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP), the Core Home Initiative is set to elevate the living conditions of vulnerable families.
The keys were handed over on Tuesday evening to Enduko Glenmore (Lot 2194 Onderneeming); Nicola Thompson (Lot 2059 Onderneeming); Condica Eastman (Lot 2041 Onderneeming); Tricia Da Sivia (Lot 4026 Lust-en-Rust); and Desmond Cheong (Lot 172 Onderneeming).
In addition to receiving the keys to their new homes, these beneficiaries also received their Certificates of Inspection.
Minister Croal has said that approximately 30 homes had previously been delivered to residents in Region Three, and another set is currently in the construction phase. In emphasising the significant positive impact these homes have on the lives of the beneficiaries, he addressed
the importance of the initiative by stating, “This activity is simple, but to the beneficiaries it means a lot. This is about bringing upliftment to our citizens; bringing upliftment to families, and to provide a better environment so we can all be happy”.
Enduko Glenmore along with his family
Minister Croal also disclosed that nearly $900 million has been expended for infrastructural development along the West Bank Demerara corridor, covering street and streetlight installation as well as drainage networks.
Recreational facilities are part of the ongoing project, with efforts underway to identify an area in Region Three suitable for such a facility.
Enduko Glenmore, one of the recipients, revealed that although he had owned his land for a decade, circumstances had prevented him from building a proper home. Consequently, he had resorted to erecting a makeshift shack in his yard.
“We could have survived in this little thing, and we’re much better in this one,” he remarked, indicating the structure he had formerly occupied and then pointing towards the new core home on his property.
Sharing that approximately two other family members would be joining him in the new residence, Mr. Glenmore expressed joy at the prospect of expanding the home in the future. He also expressed his gratitude to the Housing Ministry and the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led Government.
Another beneficiary, Nicola Thompson, recounted her struggle with mortgage applications, detailing how she had faced rejection from several banks because her salary as a merchandiser for a private company was small.
After finally securing approval from one bank, she received a call from CH&PA, notifying her of her eligibility for the core home.
“I was so happy,” she said, recalling the moment she received the call. The mother of two continued, “I have no mortgage to pay, no debts to leave for my children. I am happy that I am comfortable, and [the] Government provided me with a home that my children can live in”.
Each of these homes comprises two bedrooms, along with kitchen and washroom facilities. With costs ranging from $4.5M to $4.9M, beneficiaries are only required to make a $100,000 contribution towards the home’s construction. As a stipulation, each beneficiary must be the owner of the land on which the home is being constructed.
AHUAP is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and executed by the Ministry of Housing and Water-Central Housing and Planning Authority. The AHUAP boundary encompasses the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Development in Region Three; Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara in Region Four; and from Georgetown to La Bonne Intention and nineteen other select communities up to Victoria on the East Coast of Demerara in Region Four.
