Govt to build 1-bedroom homes for vulnerable citizens – VP

…says 1000 Lindeners on NICIL lands to get fast-track titles

The Government will soon begin constructing one-bedroom homes for some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens – including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those living in poverty, as it moves to fulfil a commitment outlined in its election manifesto. Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo made the announcement on Tuesday, during a Public Day meeting with residents of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) at the Watooka Guest House, where he outlined the Government’s continued housing agenda.

“We’re launching a programme now, where, for people who are really destitute, like people who’ve been abandoned by their families, like elderly, those who are extremely poor, and those who are disabled and can’t afford to build, the Government will build some small houses for them; one-bedroom houses,” Jagdeo stated. The initiative follows an announcement by President Dr Irfaan Ali last month that the Government would launch a dedicated social housing programme aimed at supporting vulnerable Guyanese towards homeownership.
During a national broadcast on July 16, President Ali said the programme would target between 3000 and 5000 social homes for vulnerable groups, including single mothers facing economic hardship, persons living with disabilities, and the elderly. He indicated that strict eligibility criteria would be established to ensure the homes reach those most in need.

Backlog/NICIL’s land
On Tuesday, Jagdeo also provided an update on the Government’s efforts to address the backlog of housing applications across the country. He said that in the nine regions outside of Region Four, the Administration is aiming to eliminate the backlog of house lot allocations by the end of next year.
“In the nine other regions, we’re hoping by the end of next year to clear all the backlog,” he said, noting that he recently received an update from Housing Minister Collin Croal and officials within the housing sector. According to the VP, in Region 10, approximately 1000 residents have been living on lands owned by the former bauxite company that are now under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). Those lands are being transferred to facilitate the regularisation process.
“We’re going to try to accelerate the titling for those people who live on those NICIL lands and they’re going to work on a special project,” Jagdeo explained. He added that Region 10 currently has a housing backlog of just over 3000 applicants, but expressed confidence that enough house lots are being developed to clear those pending applications by the end of next year. Jagdeo also highlighted the level of Government investment required to make housing accessible, noting that each developed house lot is a substantial subsidy to beneficiaries.
“It takes as much as about $5 million to develop one house lot. That’s what it costs the Government, and then we sell it for around $500,000. So it’s a huge subsidy,” he said. Since returning to office in 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has significantly expanded housing programmes across the country. Between 2020 and 2025, the Government invested nearly $240 billion in the housing sector, allocated approximately 53,000 house lots, regularised 24 squatter settlements, and developed more than 100 housing areas.
In addition to house lot distribution, the Government has introduced several initiatives aimed at increasing homeownership, including low-income turnkey houses, the Homestead Project, modular homes, the Hinterland Housing Programme, and the Steel and Cement Subsidy Programme. The Administration has also removed Value-Added Tax (VAT) on several locally and regionally produced construction materials, introduced tax relief on housing loans, and worked with commercial banks to lower mortgage interest rates and expand access to financing.
Recognising the increasing demand for completed homes rather than serviced lots, the Government has set a target of constructing 40,000 homes over the next five years, while expanding its social housing programme to ensure vulnerable citizens also have access to safe and affordable housing.