Nearly half of housing allocations went to women last year – Finance Minister

As the government pursues an ambitious goal of allocating 10, 000 house lots yearly until 2025, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday said nearly half of the allocations last year went to women-led households.

Dr. Singh spoke at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York. There, he participated in the voluntary national review of Guyana’s progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

And it was highlighted that about 24,000 house lots were distributed over the past three years. Over that period, an increasing number of women got allocations.

“Notably, 45 per cent of all allocations were to female-headed households… up from 42 per cent in 2021,” the Finance Minister said.

He also noted that more young people are getting house lots through the government’s ‘Young Professionals’ housing programme.

Housing solutions are part of SDG#11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities.

Outside of this progress made in achieving this goal, Dr. Singh said the government has been investing in much-needed infrastructure, including infrastructure that will help it to use more renewable energy sources.

But even as the government strives towards achieving global goals, Dr. Singh said smaller countries need more financing to achieve their ambitions. So he reiterated a call he made earlier in the day for more equitable financing.

Countries are reviewing the progress made in achieving global goals, which should be approved by 2030. These engagements are part of the mid-term review of the SDGs.

Overall, the SDGs outline 17 interlinked objectives which should eliminate poverty and foster peace and prosperity for all people.