November 10, 2024

Around the Regions

Bringing the Regions to you

Teacher of two among 28 allocated homes in Berbice

Gracy Thomas and her childre after a tour of her home alongside Minister , Collin Croal, CEO, Sherwyn Greaves and REO, Region Six, Narindra Persaud

A young mother of two boys, Gracy Thomas was in high praise of the government’s housing programme after she was allocated a home at Hampshire, Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne) on Saturday, June 4.

The Central Corentyne Secondary School Teacher, was one of 28 low-income families to receive two-bedroom flat units at an allocation exercise at the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC). “I am very excited today, especially since it’s my son seventh birthday…It is a long-awaited dream come true for me,” Thomas was quoted as saying.

The young teacher said she will now be able to provide a safe and comfortable home for her two children. Thomas is currently living with her parents and always dreamt of owning her own home. She expressed thanks and appreciation to the administration for helping her realise that dream.

“As a young woman with two kids, my living condition was not ideal and so, it’s nice to finally own a home,” Thomas said. It was revealed that the two-bedroom flat units cost $5.5M each, inclusive of the cost of the land. It measures 20 feet by 30 feet (600 square feet). Following the allocation exercise, the beneficiaries were taken to the housing scheme by the CHPA team led by Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, to identify their homes.

A young mother of one, Shivanie Shaheed, was also excited to identify her home. She is currently renting an apartment, which is costing her more than what she will pay to the bank for her monthly mortgage. “This is really great for me. I never own a house before…I feel happy about this programme,” Shaheed said.

Osmond Gilead, who is currently residing with his in-laws in Sisters Village, after applying for a house lot for many years, is finally on his way to owning his own home.  He was among those that praised the government’s turn-key initiative, which he said is very impactful, especially for young people. “It’s a great initiative because a lot of people don’t have the cash to go and build directly so what the government is doing is something great, and I applaud them for that,” Gilead said.

Shivanie Shaheed and daughter

It was revealed that the allocation marks the first set of 100 homes being constructed at Williamsburg/Hampshire by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) at a cost of $750M. Croal disclosed that in its quest to create wholesome communities, the government has also allocated millions of dollars to ensure the area is equipped with the necessary infrastructure including road and drainage network, as well as water and electricity. Further, an area was also identified for recreational and other facilities.

Croal speaking on the impact of the turn-key programme, announced that additional lands were set aside for the construction of another set of units to meet the demands of the region. “The government understands that renting is hard on the Guyanese populace and for that reason we have created programmes like these, to ensure the delivery of more affordable housing programmes,” he stressed.

Present at the exercise were Chief Executive Officer of CHPA, Sherwyn Greaves, Regional Executive Officer, Narindra Persaud and President of CCCC, Mohammed Raffik.