Lives of Annandale squatters improved with new homes

…no new squatting will be recognised – Housing Minister

The Housing Ministry on Monday handed over brand-new homes to nine families, who had been squatting for some time at Annandale Sea Defence reserve (Sand Reef) on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Each family was handed the keys a move-in ready two-bedroom home at the Annandale New Scheme by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal. Their monthly payment rate is about $24,000.
“Those for the land were allocated with conditionality that they have to be able to finish their own construction in a particular time. Here, these ten houses represent the other then but we were able to get nine prequalified. The reason it is one out is because it is an elderly lady and she is putting systems in place to have a support. We would be able to put her on eventually,” Croal told the media.
The homes are part of a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali in 2022 during an outreach in Annandale. During the visit, the poor living conditions activated efforts to assist these areas.
In total, 15 households are occupying the zero-tolerance area. Ten families opted for the homes, while the remaining five opted for lands to construct their homes.
Croal stated that the Government is working to address squatting nationwide and no new squatting will be recognised. He, therefore, urged informal settlers to do the ‘right thing’ and to work with the Government.
“We’re moving in an aggressive manner in terms of not recognising any new squatting but we will try to address those that were already in the system because at the end of the day, you have a caring and understanding Government too. We know what we have met. Certainly, we have taken that into consideration,” he relayed.
Croal clarified that these programmes are happening simultaneously with other initiatives through the Housing Ministry to allocate houses and house lots.
“It doesn’t take away from our mandate of 50,000 house lots or construction of more houses for persons. These are all part of what you’re talking about when you’re building a One Guyana. It is also addressing every section of society, including the vulnerable.”
The relocation process is being facilitated by CH&PA’s Community Development Department. Each home is constructed at a cost of $5 million. The families were engaged by commercial banks to source funding for the construction of their homes.
By the ending of February, the Ministry will commence dismantling of the squatting structures.
For 2022, over 400 titles were issue to squatters. In some instances, squatters have protested the relocation to another area when approached by the Ministry but notwithstanding, the Minister has reiterated several times that infrastructural works take precedence and they will have to move. (G12)