DPI, Guyana
Residents of the Lombard Street squatting area are the beneficiaries of a housing lottery hosted by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Saturday morning.
The eager residents, including the six families of the recent fire on Lombard Street, were given the opportunity to select their house lots numbers by drawing their names from a bag. Some of the families will be relocated to Prospect (East Bank of Demerara) and others to Cummings Lodge (East Coast of Demerara).
According to Deputy Director of Community Development attached to CH&PA, Donnel Bess-Bascom, in the first phase, “20 families will be relocated to Prospect, and the remaining families will be relocated to Cummings Lodge.” She also indicated that the families affected by the fire will be given priority and will automatically be among the 20 families who will be relocated to Prospect.
The Deputy-Director said the CH&PA will address infrastructural developments such as roads, drainage and bridges among others in the areas selected.
It was disclosed that CH&PA officials are scheduled to visit the new land site at Prospect, as early as next week to evaluate with the hope of commencing construction by April. The cost of the project is $43M and will be executed by the CH&PA in collaboration with the NGO Food for the Poor.
Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with the responsibility of Housing, Valarie Adams-Yearwood was also present at the event which was held at Ketley Primary School. She reiterated CH&PA’s commitment to the upgrade and development of the lives of the Lombard Street residents. She further disclosed that approval was granted to begin infrastructural works in Cummings Lodge.
Within the new week, officials from CH&PA will be sensitising the new homeowners on homeownership, payment of taxes, and the proper maintenance of their lots.
Ayana George
Images: Jules Gibson
PHOTO CAPTION
DSC_0566: Some of the residents addressing a Community Development Officer attached to CH&PA at the Ketley Primary School, Lombard Street, Georgetown
DSC_0636…Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Valarie Adams- Yearwood
DSC_0651: One of the recent Kingston fire victims picking her lot number
DSC_0585: A section of the gathering at Ketley Primary School auditorium
DSC_0721…Minister Valarie Adams-Yearwood interacting with some of the residents
DSC_0699: [In the photo, fourth from left] Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Valarie Adams-Yearwood, staff of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Kingston fire victims and house lots beneficiaries
