Gov’t seeks private developers for more housing schemes

With the rapid expansion of Guyana’s infrastructure, there is also a need for more lands to be transformed into new housing schemes and this has led the government to issue an Expression Of Interest (EOI) seeking private developers to help with the augmentation of its massive housing programme.

According to Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, a large part of the government’s developmental approach to the expansion entails partnerships with private developers.

And while he did not pinpoint a specific area, the Minister explained that the new lands set to be developed are located on both the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

“These are new lands for development…you recognise that the demand for housing keeps growing so we have been opening new lands which is part of the advantage when you open new roads so our infrastructure grows, that need will grow so this is why we need the developers,” he told the News Room during a recent interview.

According to the EOI, the areas are undeveloped lands with an adequate residential mix and it can be easily integrated into existing communities.

The government is seeking individual developers, companies or consortiums and if they are selected, construction is expected within six months and completed within two years.

And those developers must achieve the quality of development, construction and management of the project within the given time. EOIs are to be sent to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) by March 25.

Since the government took office in August 2020, a total of 10,063 house lots were allocated to persons while 1,266 land titles and transports were distributed in 2021 with plans to target 6,000 applicants in 2022.

And in support of low-income households, 50 houses were constructed at Prospect in 2021 but this year, the government will construct 100 core homes at La Parfaite Harmonie and Sophia Housing Areas with an additional 125 core homes to be constructed in areas to be identified.

For moderate-income earners, 133 homes were constructed at Cummings Lodge, Onderneeming and Amelia’s Ward, as well as 100 houses for young professionals at Providence.

And this year, $12.4 billion was allocated for the housing sector to continue infrastructure works in housing areas, which include the upgrading of 45.5 km of roads in 31 existing housing areas across Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10.