Government is looking to expend $4.4 billion towards further developing Guyana’s housing sector, according to Budget 2014.
The amount is $1.2 billion more than the total amount expended on the sector in 2013.
The funds will be used to develop new housing schemes, consolidate existing schemes, increase the amount of turnkey homes, expand the construction of core houses, increase access by citizens to affordable financing for housing, increase occupancy and integrate new housing areas with existing Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).
While presenting the 2014 budget on Monday, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said “we will allocate 5,900 house lots and distribute 4,100 land titles to new landowners.” Last year, eight One-Stop Shop outreaches conducted by government saw the allocation of 4,417 house lots and 5,326 titles.
He also shared ambitions to continue the development of housing schemes in Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Anna Catherina, Uitvlugt, Bath, and No. 77 Village. In 2013, more than 30,000 persons benefited from the initiatives such as the aforementioned.
With regard to the government’s turnkey initiative, plans are in the works to construct 100 houses this year, while 50 nurses, police officers and teachers will be allocated land to construct their homes. A public-private turnkey housing partnership last year saw the construction of about 90 single-flat concrete houses while 55 homes were built under the Young Professionals Housing Programme.
“The sector (in 2014) will also see the completion and distribution of another 176 core houses, disbursement of 134 coastal homes improvement subsidies valued at $26.8 million and an additional disbursement of 54 hinterland subsidies valued at $54 million,” Singh told the House. Last year, 127 core houses were completed and the 2013 coastal home improvement programme, valued at $30.6 million, benefitted 627 persons. Singh, in his presentation, also noted that 130 hinterland home improvement subsidies, valued at $107 million, were granted.
