Dozens of residents who had been squatting on Broad and Lombard Streets for many years have been promised new homes by November, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Collaboration between the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and Food for the Poor Guyana Incorporated (FFTP), is the first phase of the project, and will see the construction of twenty two-bedroom 20×16 homes for 20 families, DPI said yesterday.
Yesterday, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson along with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA, Lelon Saul turned the sod for the project which will start in August.
The homes have received 59% funding from the CH&PA, while FFTP Guyana has covered 41%. The beneficiaries will, however, be required to oversee the installation of electricity and water to their homes. They will also prepare the space for septic tanks.
At the ceremony, beneficiaries expressed their gratitude. Keisha Smith, who has been living at the Lombard Street residence for over nine years, was elated. “I want to thank the
Food for the Poor, CH&PA and everyone who gave us the houses. This means a lot to me and family because the condition that we are living in is not good.”
Mother of three Melissa Abrams said she has been living at Lombard Street all her life. “All my children born and grow there… I now feel like something is going for me. I feel so thankful to the Minister, Food for the Poor, President David Granger, and I thank God for everything.”
Choking back tears, DPI said that Phillip Chase said moving from Lombard Street to Prospect, opens wider doors for everyone, especially the young children.
“It is not appropriate for the children to live there. Where we are going now is much better than where we are living,” he told DPI.
