MoH&W to screen 230 applicants for ‘steel and cement initiative’ next week

The verification process involved in the disbursement of steel and cement for home builders could begin as early as next week, according to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, who made this disclosure in an article recently published by the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The ‘steel and cement initiative’ announced by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali earlier this year will see homeowners benefitting from the receipt of steel and one sling of cement for homes being built under $6 million, and the receipt of two slings of cement for homes being built between $6M and $25M.
“The implementing stage is going smoothly. In fact, we have over 1,900 persons who would have uplifted forms to be able to benefit from that programme. In terms of persons who are able now to move to the next phase, we have over 230 such persons; for which, in the new week, we will commence the investigative stage,” Croal added.

The Minister explained that any Guyanese in possession of land can qualify for the initiative, granted that they have pre-approval in the form of their construction plan.
“And once we have that pre-approval for the plan, then, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority mechanism, you must provide your ownership and we’ll move smoothly, fill out the necessary application forms.”
Suppliers of steel and cement are currently being approved by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Board. Once the Committee for the Housing Subsidies is approved, applicants will begin receiving the materials.
“The beneficiaries will receive a voucher. There is no cash payment…there is a voucher that will be going to the respective optional suppliers. We will have a list of those such suppliers indicated, and so they will be going to the respective suppliers to uplift their steel and cement…to start the construction,” the Minister has said.
Persons can register for the steel-and-cement support by uplifting forms from various offices of the Housing and Water Ministry, as well as from the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s Head Office; or, they could receive the forms from any of the sub-offices in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine, and Ten.
Forms can also be downloaded from the Ministry of Housing and Water’s website, mohw.gov.gy, or the CH&PA website, chpa.gov.gy.
Private developers embarking on home construction are encouraged to utilise the housing support as well.