As part of its affordable housing drive, the government has commenced the construction of 210 young- professional homes at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, according to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release on Monday.
The release informed that the homes come in two styles – the single flat unit or bungalow, and the two-storey, similar to those constructed at Prospect and Providence on the East Bank of Demerara.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, disclosed that over 100 single-flat units and 100 two-storey units are being constructed. She said that the construction of the houses is progressing smoothly, emphasising that the project is part of the government’s affordable housing programme, which allows individuals the opportunity to own homes in wholesome communities.
“By constructing homes within these communities, people will move in faster… So, that will help with the overall plan that we have, to help people to move into communities and to occupy these areas faster,” the minister told DPI in a recent interview. She also stated that the government is also looking to construct homes targeting low-income earners along the East Coast and efforts are underway to identify a suitable area for the housing project.
“We want to do a similar type of development like we have at Diamond, where we have about 250 low-income homes… I think it’s necessary here on the East Coast,” Rodrigues was quoted as saying.
She also posited that these initiatives will increase occupancy in housing developments, as well as encourage individuals who were allocated house lots in the communities to occupy their lands.
As part of the government’s turn-key initiative, over 1,500 homes are currently under construction in communities including LBI, Providence, Prospect, Great Diamond, Cummings Lodge, Hampshire/ Williamsburg, Ordnance/ Fortlands, and Amelia’s Ward.
These homes, the release stated, are at different stages of completion, with some already handed over to families.
