Eleven families benefit from core homes 

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) on Thursday advanced its commitment to improving the lives of citizens with the handing over of another 11 core homes to beneficiaries under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).

The programme, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was launched in December 2017 and is expected to conclude in December 2025. By its completion, 301 families will benefit from core homes, while 855 households will receive home improvement subsidies.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during the handing over ceremony in ‘A’ Field, Sophia, Georgetown spoke about the government’s aggressive push to expand homeownership.

“Today, 136 core homes we have handed over to date on this programme, so we leave here with another 11 handed over today, bringing the total to 147,” he Croal said.

Minister Croal further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to constructing 40,000 houses. He also noted that 108 core homes are currently under construction.

“We are making you, your environment, your children and your livelihood different,” he said.

The ceremony on Thursday featured beneficiaries from various communities, including Sophia residents Oral and Judith Adams, Rawle Abel, and Laticia Martain; Sherma Nelson from central Georgetown; and Antanette Barry, Rhonda Davidson, Liz George, Lorena George, Basmattie Dwarka, and Audrey Nurse from West Bank Demerara.

Judith Adams, a seamstress who has lived in Sophia for more than 20 years, shared her journey to becoming a beneficiary.

“I built a one-bedroom on this land about 20 years ago, at the back of the yard, with the intention of building a two-bedroom concrete house at the front. But as life would have it, sometimes there are mountains, sometimes there are valleys,” Adams said.

She explained that she once purchased concrete blocks to start her foundation but faced difficulties.

“A friend told me about this core home, and I went and applied same for my transport because we had already paid for the land,” she said.

Adams added that she was given the option of receiving materials to build the house on her own or having the ministry construct a two-bedroom home.

“I am grateful to be chosen as a beneficiary of this programme,” Adams said.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Vanessa Benn, urged beneficiaries to take pride in their new homes.

“For each of you who is going to be receiving a home, ensure the manner in which you maintain your home and your environment is in a way that you would be proud,” Minister Benn said.