A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will soon be signed with an additional contractor for the construction of 2,000 turnkey homes in Region Three, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal recently announced.
The construction of the homes is a part of the Irfaan Ali-led government’s approach to fast track home ownership among Guyanese.
“Very shortly, we will be signing an MoU [Memorandum of Understanding] with another company that will see the construction of a further 2,000 homes being constructed here in Region Three,” the Department of Public Information (DPI) quoted Croal as saying during an activity on Friday at the Uitvlugt Community Centre, East Coast Demerara.
According to the DPI report, the construction of these homes will add to the 500 low-income homes to be constructed in the region. Minister Croal explained that the first 125 homes under that project will be constructed at Leonora with works projected to commence shortly.
He noted that with such major investment in the community, there will be spin off effects, giving residents in the region opportunities to benefit.
“If you have 125 houses to be constructed, the minimum one can expect is that you will have at least 625 persons employed on the construction of those houses. And, over the period you will see different skill sets and opportunities for those of you in Region Three, whether labourers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters will be required,” he added.
He also disclosed that a MoU was signed between the ministry and Republic Bank Limited in July, for the financing of the two-bedroom units, will cost $5.5 million each.
Region Three, DPI reported, had the second highest demand for housing in the country, with a backlog of approximately 14,000 applications in the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CHPA) database. Since government took office in August 2020, it has distributed in excess of 4,000 house lots within the region. Some $4 billion is earmarked to develop a further 1,000 serviced house lots in 2023.
