The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) distributed 1,843 house lots during the first six months of the year and is planning to allocate another 8,000 before the end of 2022, according to the Ministry of Finance’s mid-year report.
In the first half of 2022, the government expended $8.1 billion of the $12.4 billion allocated to further develop the housing sector and realize the PPP/C’s campaign promise of the allocation of 50,000 house lots by the end of its first term back in office. Since taking the seat of power, the PPP/C government has distributed 11,680 house lots, the report said.
Additionally, 449 land titles and transports were issued in the first half of 2022 and an additional 5,600 are scheduled for the second half of the year, bringing the projected total to 6,049 which exceeds the 6,000 land titles and transports targeted for issue in 2022.
Of the $11 billion allocated to continue infrastructure works in CH&PA housing areas, the sum of $7.4 billion was spent during the review period, according to the report. It explained that infrastructural works are ongoing in housing areas in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. Approximately 10 kilometres of roads were upgraded in existing housing areas at Uitvlugt, Belle West, Parfaite Harmonie, Herstelling, Ordnance Fortlands, Bath, Balthyock, Good Hope, Mon Repos, Section D Non-Pariel, Tuschen and Onderneeming.
In the report released on Saturday, the government said that works were completed on 25 core homes at Parfaite Harmonie, while another 25 are slated for construction by the end of the year. In the Sophia Housing Area, 25 core homes are currently being constructed and another 25 will commence later this year. Construction of another 21 core homes is expected to commence by the end of the year, along the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara.
The construction of 100 low-income homes at Hampshire/Williamsburg, 150 moderate-income homes at Cummings Lodge and 125 houses for young professionals at Providence and Prospect were completed in the first half of the year.
To accelerate the government’s “Dream Realised” housing drive, the CHPA launched a home construction assistance programme during the first half of the year in Regions 3, 4, 6 and 10 with the aim of providing access to financing for persons building their own homes. Some 399 persons registered for assistance.
The report said that the programme allows applicants to choose from three pre-designed units at a cost of $7 million, $9 million or $12 million and pre-qualify for loans with financial institutions such as Republic Bank and New Building Society to meet the cost of construction. Additionally, the distribution of 800 home improvement subsidies is planned for the second half of the year, with 121 home improvement subsidies, valued at $60.5 million to be distributed in the third quarter, and a further 679 subsidies before the end of the fourth quarter.
Additionally, 750 LED streetlamps were installed across the country during the first half of the year. The installation of electricity and distribution networks was completed at 12 housing areas in Regions 3, 4 and 6, with similar works in 14 new housing areas slated for the second half of the year.
When it comes to water and sanitation, the report identified that the government expended $2 billion of the $4.9 billion budgeted to improve water supply networks across the country in the first half of 2022. A new well was completed at Parika Backdam to increase service from 8 to 24 hours for 15,000 residents, as well as the installation of transmission and distribution mains at Parika. Further, construction works are ongoing on a new artesian well at Chesney which is expected to be completed by the end of the year benefitting approximately 21,000 residents, while the upgrading of transmission mains on Church Street is also ongoing and will be completed by the end of the year.
Of the $394.5 million allocated for hinterland communities, the sum of $164.3 million was expended during the review period to improve water supply systems. It is expected that new wells and distribution networks will be completed by the end of the year at Phillipai, Isseneru, Waramadong and Tasserene in Region 7, Itabac, Sand Hill, Maikwak and Kaman in Region 8, and Yakarinta and Katoka in Region 9. Currently, 61% of the hinterland population has access to potable water, and once these works are completed the 2022 target of 70% will be met.
The report explained that works are ongoing on the coast for the expansion of the Sophia and Eccles water treatment plants to improve the quality of service for approximately 48,000 residents by the end of this year. At the end of June 2022, potable water coverage on the coastland stood at 97% compared to the coverage target of 98% for 2022.
During the first half of the year, some 9,500 water meters were installed ultimately reducing water losses from 68.6% to 67.2%. This is expected to be reduced further to 64% in the second half with the installation of an additional 10,500 meters.
