Six Sophia families get keys to core homes; $51M recreational facility commissioned

Six Sophia families received the keys to their core homes on Friday and are required to occupy their homes within one month. A multipurpose recreational facility was also commissioned at ‘C’ Field Sophia and over 20 families were also awarded their home improvement subsidies. The core home and home improvement projects come under the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme. The programme is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Country Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank, Lorena Solorzano-Salazar, during her remarks said the IDB aims to improve the quality of life in urban areas in Georgetown and this is done through home improvement subsidies and core home support.

The first set of core homes handed over on Friday was also coupled with the improvement of roads, drainage and sidewalks in the area.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, in his remarks said the government will be negotiating with IDB to extend or increase the value of the subsidy. This, he said, is being done because of the rise in the cost of living. The government will also be petitioning IDB for the programme to be extended to other “climatic” areas, such as flood-prone communities, in Guyana.

Minister Croal revealed that $942 million has already been expended under the programme with the construction of sidewalks, streets, and roads costing over $846 million.

He encouraged more community participation in the execution of these projects.

Meanwhile, a $51 million multipurpose facility was also commissioned on Friday that will facilitate community, recreational and educational activities.

The six core home beneficiaries are Rupert Chase, Rudolph Dowding, Himattie Kishun, Sonia Coates, Bonna Kewley and Charles and Rifele Primo.

A total of 22 families received their home improvement subsidies.