Thirty-three Guyanese families, including individuals living with disabilities, received new Core Homes today, marking a significant milestone in the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP). This initiative has now delivered a total of 252 safe and secure homes.
Present at the event were Hon. Vanessa Benn, Minister within the Ministry of Housing, along with Permanent Secretary Mr. Bishram Kuppen, IDB Country Representative Ms. Lorena Solórzano-Salazar, and other key officials from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).
The AHUAP, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), provides homes that feature two bedrooms, a living and kitchen area, and washroom facilities. Beneficiaries were selected through a public application process that has since concluded.
Minister Benn described the initiative as a transformative investment in communities, emphasizing that every home represents an opportunity for families and ensures that even the most vulnerable citizens have access to safe housing. She highlighted the programme’s focus on inclusion, noting that the homes are designed with comfort and independence in mind.
Ms. Solórzano-Salazar commented on the success of the partnership between the IDB and the government, underscoring a commitment to inclusive development through the delivery of affordable housing.
Among the beneficiaries was elderly, visually impaired resident Ms. Wanda Abrams. Her home was modified with ramps and adapted bathroom features to meet national and international accessibility standards, including stability bars and proper floor sloping.
Another beneficiary, Ms. Judith Mathieson, shared that her new home would grant her independence and stability as she had been living with relatives. The Core Home initiative aims to construct over 280 homes in total.
The broader AHUAP also encompasses home improvement subsidies, community facilities, and infrastructure upgrades across regions such as Georgetown and the East Bank, East Coast, and West Bank Demerara—ensuring improved access and living conditions for vulnerable households, including individuals with disabilities. As the AHUAP nears its conclusion, the final handovers will signify the successful end of the project’s life.
