50th ‘Dream Realised’ exercise: $62B expended on ECD housing development over last 4 years – Croal

…as 500 persons receive land titles

The Government has expended some $62 billion over the past four years to develop housing schemes along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), as part of a broader strategy to tackle the nation’s housing crisis.
According to Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, the sum of $32 billion was spent this year alone to provide affordable, safe, and supportive housing to families.
Croal made these remarks during his Ministry’s 50th flagship Dream Realised event held on Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), which saw some 500 persons receiving their Certificates of Title.
“In four years, we have invested over $62 billion in infrastructure work on the East Coast of Demerara and for this year alone, on our budget, about $32 billion is being spent on the East Coast of Demerara in areas such as Good Hope, LBI, Lusignan, Non Pareil, Enterprise, etc.” the Minister shared.

Statistics provided by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) during the distribution exercise indicated that under the current Government, 74 new housing schemes have been developed.
Over 15,000 house lots were allocated on the East Coast and the Ministry is in the process of constructing 1,000 homes.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues spoke passionately about the profound impact of land allocation on families, highlighting the long-term potential for generational wealth.
On this point, she said, the initiative is part of Government’s larger housing plans, which include the construction of thousands of new homes across the country, particularly in underserved regions.

“Giving you and your family a lot has the effect of multiplying for years to come and recognising that the Government continues to make resources available to make this happen for generations and decades to come,” said Minister Rodrigues. She continued, “You will forever change the trajectory of your family by creating intergenerational wealth”. Minister Rodrigues reiterated that the Government’s vision for every Guyanese is not just a dream but an action-driven goal that includes building new infrastructure, ensuring clean water access, and partnering with financial institutions to make homeownership more accessible.
Title distribution
The 500 land titles were distributed to moderate-income landowners in the newly developed De Endragt-Phase 2 and La Bonne Intention (LBI)-Phase 3 Housing Schemes, ECD.
With their titles in hand, these recipients can now approach financial institutions for loans to expedite their homeownership process.
As of October 2024, a total of 2,974 titles have been distributed out of a target of 5,000 for the year.
In addition to titles, fifty families who recently commenced construction on their homes have received assistance to expedite the process under the Ministry’s Cement and Steel initiative.
This initiative forms a crucial component of the Government’s housing drive, propelling families closer to realising their aspiration of homeownership.
With these vouchers, the beneficiaries can now obtain a specified quantity of cement and steel from pre-selected hardware stores in region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica). (G1)