5000 plus Guyanese benefit from the most recent allocation exercise

rrGeorgetown: The PPP/C administration continues to ensure that all Guyanese living in this generation and their descendants will be able to benefit from the full range of social services, including the access to affordable housing.

Thousands of Guyanese were yesterday given this opportunity as the Ministry of Housing and Water distributed more than 1200 houselots for the Lust-en-Rust Housing Scheme, in Region 3.

Men, women and entire families gathered at the West Demerara Secondary School early Saturday morning to participate in the One Stop Shop activity , which will bring with it, benefits to more than 5000 persons.

Addressing the crowd gathered, Minister with the portfoilo, Irfaan Ali, congratulated the beneficiaries on their monumental step towards becoming first time home owners

He emphasised that the allocation of lots could not have been possible without the hard work of the Central Housing and Planning Authority staff and more importantly the investments  made by the Government in ensuring home ownership is not only affordable, but also ensuring  that the enabling environment in terms of the provision of the right incentives, is available.

The Housing and Water Minister thanked the private sector, insurance companies, architects, contractors and   financial institutons for their continued support in making the  activity possible.

"We are not an authority that allocate house lots alone ,  but have we  formed partnerships with businesses, financial institutions and other stakeholders to be able to provide a comprehensive solution for the housing needs and requirement of all segments of our society," he declared

Ali pointed to the overall investment in the development of this area , and emphasized on the level of Government subsidy that made the lots affordable , accessible and available at a low cost.

He said, "The total investment in this area amounted to $800M; the Government would have invested close to $200,000 on behalf of every person in your family , this is an overall subsidy of 75% and this is what we did on your behalf so that all of our people will be able to access this most important service."

While the Minister acknowledged the many benefits that will be derived from home ownership, he also cautioned the allotees to take responsibility for their properties and to ensure that they move towards home ownership in the most expeditious manner.

Ali also explained to the  gathering that the process of allotting house lots is open and transparent and reminded  there is a clause in the Agreement of Sale which states that, if any person is discovered to have misrepresented any information on their application, any monies paid will be forfeited and they will not be granted any house lots.

Also in attendance at the event was the Region 3 Chairman, Mr. Julius Faeber , who reminded the gathering of the overall success of the housing programme under the PPP/C administration .

He too encouraged the allotees to recognise the important role that they will play in the overall development of the communities in Lust-en-Rust and congratulated them on their achievement.

The CEO of the CHPA, Ms. Myrna Pitt also reminded those assembled that a community development plan will be integrated in the overall development of the scheme, in keeping with the macro development agenda of the Authority and Administration, in ensuring that all citizens will benefit from the National Housing Programme.

"Over the last 21 years the PPP/C have been ensuring that the home ownership process becomes easier," she stated.

Over the past 5 years, the Government has invested close to $1.3B in region three through the implementation of several projects and programmes.