75 persons get turn-key homes in Providence

The Ministry of Housing and Water has said 75 persons are now new home-owners via its 1,000 Turn-key Homes Project at Perseverance, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The houses were recently awarded as the ministry has worked assiduously to construct 150 houses during the first phase of the project, a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. “This affordable housing initiative was designed to provide homeowners with comfort, security and a healthy family life,” the ministry said, adding that the 1,000 Homes Project was launched by the Central Housing and Planning Authority to expand its Turn-Key Houses programme that recommenced in 2011. Construction started in May, 2014 and by December 2014 one 100 ‘Buttercup Cottages’ were completed. Currently, another batch of 50 houses is being constructed.

According to GINA, the ministry facilitates home-owner visits to the houses during the construction phase. “Infrastructure for electricity and water are already in place and roads in the new community would boast asphaltic concrete surface once construction is completed,” the report said.

A model of the ‘Buttercup Cottage,’ which costs $4.9M, will soon be displayed available for tours. The ‘Buttercup Cottage’ has a total floor area of 600 square feet and includes two bedrooms, a patio, washroom, kitchen, dining and living areas. A furniture company has partnered with the ministry to furnish the model home, which is expected to attract interested persons and prospective homeowners. Over 5,000 people have already indicated interest in the turn-key homes and have applied to the ministry to purchase same.

Persons desirous of a larger living space could purchase the ‘Bungalow Orchid,’ which will soon be built. This house will boast a total area of 1050 to 1100 square feet of tiled floors, with three bedrooms, bathroom, ceiling, modern lighting fixtures and sash windows. It will be priced between $8 and $9M.

Every day, the worksite at Perseverance is bustling with construction activities to provide houses to thousands of Guyanese while providing employment opportunities for over 300 skilled and semi-skilled workers in the construction industry, GINA said.