Young professionals housing scheme 50% complete

Housing development along the East Bank of Demerara is continuing, with the Young Professionals Scheme almost 50 per cent completed.

A release from the Ministry of Housing and Water said that this newest housing scheme comprises a semi-gated community within the wider Eccles Housing scheme in which 40, 1200 square-foot houses will be constructed.

President Donald Ramotar and Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali last Saturday visited the area to inspect the progress of ongoing works.

The release said that according to Minister Ali, efforts are being made to complete the scheme by August.  He is quoted as saying, “We’re going to expand our partnership with young middle and low income young earners… young working persons… that is how we’re going to approach 2013.”

Ali noted that over the years, the need for such a scheme became apparent since the Housing Ministry had received a large number of applications from young professionals, including doctors, lawyers, engineers and bankers within the age group of 25-35 years.
According to the release the minister explained, “We have worked to create an affordable package for this target market. The total cost of this package will be just below $15 million. In an area such as Eccles, the same house from a private developer will cost about $25 million.”

The Housing Ministry’s plans for the next five years include the distribution of 30,000 new house lots by 2015, a re-migrants’ housing scheme, the turnkey project and special programmes for young professionals and single persons all aimed providing housing for all Guyanese, the release added.