Seventeen houses will be constructed and 26 roofs replaced in 12 communities as part of the CH&PA’s new sustainable hinterland housing project in Regions One and Nine.
According to a GINA press release, the 12 communities which will benefit include in Region One, White Water and Kamwatta, Haimacabra in the Moruca sub-district and Sebai in the Matarkai sub-region; and in Region 9, the North Rupununi, Central Rupununi, the South Pakaraimas, Kwatamang, Katoka, Massara, Karasabi, Hiawa, Sand Creek and Potarinau.
Donell Bess-Bascom, Senior Community Development Officer, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), explained that the project’s objective is to improve the liveability of low income households in pre-selected hinterland communities, with the aim of providing access to housing, potable water, sanitation and also promoting women’s empowerment.
The release stated that the project has two components; one provides for the construction of full houses, together with (pit) toilets and a rain water harvesting system; and the other allows for the replacement of derelict thatch roofs with zinc roofs, complete with a rain water harvesting system as well as toilets.
Bascom advised, however, that all the communities would not be seeing housing construction commencing in 2016, “but they will have houses and roofs done by the end of the programme.”
Beginning this year, CH&PA will be seeking to have initial consultation with the leaders and residents in the communities in relation to selecting the beneficiaries and promoting the project, she explained. According to the release, the project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, through a US$3.1M loan and is a follow-on to the hinterland housing pilot project which was implemented between 2009 and 2015.
“The homes were actually designed by the community; the labour is procured from the community; as much of the materials as possible are also bought from the community. So whilst we also help to improve the housing conditions, we also help to create employment in the communities as well,” Bascom added.
