Homestead Programme: First 25 houses 70 percent completed, another batch to commence next week

The first 25 low-income houses which are being built under the government’s Homestead Programme is 70 percent completed and in the new week construction is expected to commence on another batch.

“They are building these (houses) in batches of 25. They are about 70 percent completed on the first 25, meaning that the sub structure is already up…Then you have the other aspect of the finishing to be done.

“In the new week, they will commence the foundation work for the next batch of 25,” Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal told the News Room on Thursday.

The houses each cost $6.5 million. They are being built in keeping with a commitment made by President Irfaan Ali aimed at assisting single mothers.

The project will see 500 homes built across 100 acres. The houses being built currently are situated at Yarrowkabra.

“The area in which we at currently construction can accommodate about 250 houses,” Croal said.

The 20 by 30 feet houses, constructed by DuraVilla Homes, will feature two bedrooms, one bathroom, a patio, and a kitchenette.

Already, Croal said there are a number of beneficiaries for these new structures.

“We have a number of beneficiaries that are already in the system but persons can still apply to us.

“You have to still be able to satisfy the housing programme in being a first time home owner and secondly there is a hybrid of this in terms of the operation,” Croal told the News Room.

The Ministry of Agriculture is leading the development of shade houses, and the Office of the Prime Minister is overseeing the installation of solar power systems.

This, is being done to enable persons to repay for their houses through the programme itself.