…as more houses handed over to low-income families along East Coast corridor
A recipient happily receiving keys to her new home
The living condition of six families from the East Coast of Demerara has been boosted following the provision of Core Homes from the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).
The beneficiaries who were previously renting, living with family, or occupying dilapidated structures in the communities of Haslington, Non Pareil, Lusignan, Good Hope, and Cummings Lodge, received the keys to their new ‘Core Homes’ and Certificates of Inspection on Tuesday.
Nigel John and his family at their new home
Each home features two bedrooms, a kitchen unit, an indoor sanitary facility, and each home is valued at $5 million. The homeowners have each made a contribution of $100,000 to the realisation of their dreams.
In an emotional state, 53-year-old Sonita (only name given) expressed her happiness at finally having a safe place to call home.
She told journalists that despite being a land owner for several years, she lived in a dilapidated wooden structure prone to flooding.
Describing her financial situation, Sonita explained that she and her family have been relying on public assistance for some time now, however, she believes her new home is a sign of a new beginning and advancement for her grandchildren.
“Thank God… because me can’t afford for build one (home) and we would have still remained in the one over there. I live 20 years over there and it was very bad,” Sonita shared.
Beneficiary Sonita
Another beneficiary, Nigel John shared similar sentiments, expressing his happiness at gaining independence and a place to call his own.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Inter-American Development Bank, the Government, and the ministry’s team, whom he said were relentless in seeing the project to the end.
“Because of the development of the country, it’s not everybody could afford and it’s good what the government is doing for people who can’t afford it, you know, so, they can live a happy life,” John expressed.
Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal at the handing-over ceremony congratulated the first-time homeowners, noting that he is pleased to see the programme meeting its intended target audience.Croal disclosed that there were a few hiccups during the construction of the homes, nevertheless, the Ministry was able to complete this cohort of homes.
The Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Program is a main feature in our housing programme, and targets the most vulnerable population; and that is through the Core Home Support component, and this allows families to acquire a home almost free of cost, he explained.
“On the Adequate Housing itself is about $23 million so that would mean that in our remit to be implemented would be about 74 per cent and so we want to move quickly to complete this project. We want to thank too the beneficiaries for their patience because here these persons would have been engaged two years ago … It’s not easy living with other persons, living in an environment that you don’t necessarily own,” Minister Croal said.
Under the Core Home Support initiative, a total of 323 beneficiaries have been selected in Region Three and Four. To date, some 110 homes have been handed over, 188 are in the procurement phase, and several others are under construction.
Since the start of the programme in 2017, a total of one hundred and five families have to date each received keys to their homes. Under the Core Home Support initiative, a total of 323 beneficiaries have been selected, with 96 Core Homes occupied, 16 being under construction, another eight to soon be handed over, and 188 being at the procurement stage. (G1)
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