Upgraded housing, new sports & training hubs for Tiger Bay – Pres Ali

…to transform into G/Town’s 1st model neighbourhood

Tiger Bay, long known for its deep-rooted social challenges and vibrant community spirit, is now set to become Georgetown’s first “model neighbourhood”, President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced on Sunday during an extensive community engagement with residents of Kingston, Tiger Bay and Carmichael Street.

The President outlined a transformative urban renewal programme that will include the construction of a futsal and basketball facility, the renovation of two historic buildings, expanded social services for children and mothers, and new mechanisms to help households upgrade their living conditions.
The initiative forms part of the wider One Guyana “Neighbourhood Love” Programme, which aims to rebuild communities through shared responsibility and sustained investment.
The Guyanese leader highlighted the success of the One Guyana Kitchen and Motivation Centre, noting that the facility has already returned more than 60 children to school and provides ongoing mentorship, meals, homework support and sporting programmes. Volunteers from Men on Mission, community leaders and professionals work daily with the children.
“These are busy people who come out here and spend great time with the children,” the President said, praising the sustained, low-profile work of the Men on Mission team. “They have done hundreds of houses and supported thousands of families across the country.”
In support of the “model neighbourhood” programme, the Georgetown Mayor & City Council has agreed to hand over two historic properties for rehabilitation. According to the President, the buildings will be restored while preserving their architectural value, and will house a new technical and vocational training centre. School of the Nations has already signalled its commitment to partner with Government to help design and deliver programmes.
The training hub will form part of a broader community development model that includes life-skills training, small-business development and youth engagement.

Support for families
As it relates to housing, President Ali disclosed that government teams have been engaging families who possess valuable transported land in the area but lack capital to build modern homes. He announced a new initiative to work with banking institutions, engineers and beneficiaries to help them unlock the value of their land through bank-financing and structured housing support.
This initiative will cater for many families who received house lots years ago but have not yet built, and will be supported by Housing Minister Collin Croal and the banking sector to start construction.
“A family may have land with tremendous value, but multiple households living on it. We are going to help them monetise that asset, create wealth for themselves and improve their living conditions,” President Ali stated.
Highlighting that the Tiger Bay–Kingston district will be central to a new, walking cultural and tourism corridor stretching from the seawall down to Avenue of the Republic, continuing to South Road and looping into the Botanical Gardens, the Head of State disclosed that at least 15 businesses have committed to employ one community member each to serve as wardens responsible for cleanliness, safety and order. Government will also supply trucks and patrol bikes to ensure maintained public spaces.
The transformation includes urban greening, with spaces being opened for the planting of mango, orange, tangerine, cherry, star fruit and other fruit trees. “Our children in Georgetown must enjoy fruit right from the streets,” President Ali said.
He said that with the infrastructure and community support being put in place, stronger city leadership and management are required.
“We are building a stronger city. We also have to build stronger leadership and stronger management in the city. And that test is coming,” he warned.