From empty lots to dream homes – New foundation programme to help persons begin construction

For 76-year-old Bibi Sharida Alli, owning a safe and comfortable home has been a long-standing dream. Now, she believes she is one step closer to making that dream a reality.

Alli, who currently lives alone in a house she says is deteriorating, is among the first set of beneficiaries who utilised the new Foundation initiative launched by the Ministry of Housing at the Leonora Stadium, West Coast Demerara, on Tuesday.

“I want to be comfortable. I am living alone. Right now the window falling apart, the step falling apart,” Alli told News Room.

She described the initiative as a positive step towards helping persons like herself improve their living conditions. “It’s a job well done,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Reon Venture, said the programme brings him closer to achieving his goal of owning his own home.

“I welcome the initiative because it’s a dream closer for realisation of me getting my personal home,” Venture told News Room.

Venture applied for a house lot in 2021 and received his title in 2024. He said he was preparing to begin construction when he learnt about the new initiative.

“I was about to start my foundation and I heard about the initiative and I capitalise on it,” he said.

For Venture, the support will make a significant difference.

The Foundation initiative was launched by the Ministry of Housing as a way of assisting persons who have already received land but have been unable to begin construction due to financial and other challenges.

Minister of Housing Collin Croal said the initiative is being piloted among beneficiaries from the Meten-Meer-Zorg and Leonora housing areas. He explained that while beneficiaries have been allocated land, many have faced difficulties moving forward with construction.

“All of you here were allocated, seen land and haven’t built. There are different reasons why they haven’t built,” he said.

Croal said the programme is aimed at moving beyond land allocation and providing additional support to help beneficiaries achieve full home ownership.

“We want to therefore launch an initiative that can help you. Today we want to initiate to push what is called a foundation programme then to complement that a potential supplier/contractor will be offering the home,” he said.

Under the initiative, beneficiaries will have access to three foundation options based on their income levels and housing needs.

A one-bedroom, 400-square-foot foundation will cost $600,000 and is intended for low-income beneficiaries. A two-bedroom, 600-square-foot foundation will cost $800,000, while a three-bedroom, 950-square-foot foundation will cost $900,000 and is intended for middle-income beneficiaries.

Representatives from local banks were also present at the launch to assist beneficiaries with financing options and pre-qualification.

The foundation designs will also be paired with the Ministry’s pre-fabricated modular housing initiative.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing Vanessa Benn said the programme is part of efforts to help more Guyanese transition from owning land to owning homes.

“We are working diligently to ensure that you are able to turn that key and to be able to own your own home,” Benn said.

She added that housing remains a key priority for the Ministry.

The Foundation initiative forms part of the government’s wider housing initiative, which aims to deliver 40,000 homes over the next five years.