The Government’s Hinterland Housing Programme is making significant strides in improving living conditions for vulnerable families in the interior regions. Jennifer Douglas, a 32-year-old mother of five from Sand Creek, Region Nine, is one of the beneficiaries, caring for a child with a disability.
Jennifer previously lived in a small, inadequate structure that lacked proper doors and windows. Thanks to the housing programme, she now enjoys a new home that has dramatically changed her family’s quality of life. “I was struggling in my house before,” she shared. “Mostly it’s for my disabled little daughter; she doesn’t have an arm on one side.” Jennifer expressed her gratitude towards the government for implementing this supportive initiative, which aids families like hers.
On Sunday, Minister of Housing Hon. Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry of Housing Hon. Vanessa Benn officially handed over keys to Jennifer and 29 other beneficiaries during an outreach event in Region Nine. The event was attended by Regional Chairperson Ms. Vania Albert Allicock and Hinterland Engineer at the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Mr. Cy Rodrigues.
The new flat houses, each measuring 500 square feet, represent a total investment of $105 million. Built on communal land at no cost to the beneficiaries, twenty homes were constructed in Sand Creek and ten in Rupunau, utilizing locally sourced materials such as clay bricks and timber, and local labor. This approach not only provides housing but also boosts the village economy, as Village Councils identified the most vulnerable households as recipients of these new homes.
Among the recipients is 89-year-old Manoel Jacobs from Sand Creek, who is wheelchair-bound. His daughter and caretaker, Celia Jacobs, spoke on his behalf. “Now he has this big house, and he’s glad to get this,” she remarked, noting that he previously lived in a much smaller home that made mobility difficult.
In Rupunau, Flavian Thomas, a father of ten, shared how the new home would greatly benefit his family. “My children are more comfortable than before,” he mentioned, emphasizing the significant improvement over their previous living conditions.
The Hinterland Housing Programme continues to support vulnerable families through home construction in Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine. Minister Croal highlighted that 120 homes have been built across several villages in Region Nine alone under this initiative. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rolling out transformative housing projects throughout hinterland communities during his second term, while also noting substantial upgrades in health, education, and infrastructure.
Minister Benn congratulated the new homeowners, underscoring the meaningful impact that the new homes will have on their lives. She also discussed the benefits of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, revealing that Sand Creek receives $24 million annually for community development projects through the Forest Carbon Credit Programme, while Rupunau is allocated $18 million per year.
The LCDS 2030 ensures that hinterland villages directly reap benefits from this national development initiative, supporting projects developed by residents themselves under their Village Sustainability Plans.
Photos courtesy of Sydel Thomas, Central Housing & Planning Authority PR Department.
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