The first batch of 60 residents from Laing Avenue, Georgetown, received vouchers valued at $250,000 each to upgrade their homes yesterday, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said.
In addition to the vouchers, the residents also received $100,000 to cover the cost of labour.
The vouchers were presented at a ceremony at the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Camp Street annex. The residents conveyed their gratitude for the assistance.
Norma Lashley, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her appreciation for the support. Having resided at Laing Avenue for 27 years, she previously could not afford to make any repairs to her home.
With the vouchers, she will now be able to repair her door, upgrade her floor, replace her windows, and other essential works.
“I’m happy that I can get this help… I am thanking the government for the great support,” she told the DPI.
Another recipient, Judith Stephens, said that her house had suffered a fire years ago, and she had been unable to afford repairs since then. She expressed her intention to use the vouchers to rewire the house and address other minor issues.
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal in brief remarks, stated that the vouchers distributed are valued at a total of $15 million.
He said that the Laing Avenue Housing Grant Project is part of the PPP/C Government’s strategy to enhance the living standards of citizens.
He mentioned some of the other projects being executed by the ministry to assist residents in achieving homeownership and upgrading their living spaces.
DPI said that the Laing Avenue Housing Grant Project originated from an interaction Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had with the residents in November of last year, where they expressed their desire for assistance in upgrading their homes. The vice president committed to supporting them with a project valued at $50 million.
The Central Housing and Planning Authority conducted the necessary assessments prior to distributing the vouchers.
Chief Executive Officer of CHPA, Sherwyn Greaves said that beneficiaries can redeem their vouchers for home improvement materials at specific merchants, including Gafoors, Muneshwers, and Toolsie Persaud Ltd.
