85 in Region Five closer to homeownership

Some of the land title recipients

Homeownership in Region Two received a boost on Friday as 85 residents were formally handed land titles for house lots at Onderneeming Phase Four, part of ongoing efforts to regularise land ownership and support housing development.
The titles were distributed by Housing Minister Collin Croal during an outreach at the Regional Housing Office compound. The initiative is designed to provide residents with legal security to build homes and access government assistance programmes, including cement and steel subsidies.

Regional Chairman Devin Mohan described the distribution as “a people-centred initiative” that provides long-term security and enables families to invest in their communities.
“I am happy that I can now move forward with building my home. The title and subsidy support make a big difference,” one beneficiary said.
Minister Croal noted that the outreach also addressed outstanding housing matters in the region. He disclosed that nationally, approximately 50,000 house lots have been allocated from a backlog of 75,000 applications, with Region Two maintaining a relatively smaller number of pending cases.

He added that the government plans to construct at least 40,000 houses nationwide, including block housing projects at Onderneeming and Hoff Van Aurich targeting moderate-income earners and young professionals. Additional lands are being opened at Hoff Van Aurich, with allocations continuing in Charity and Onderneeming.
Croal also highlighted ongoing infrastructure works by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, including drainage and irrigation upgrades to support sustainable settlement development.
The combination of land allocation, infrastructure development, and building-material subsidies is aimed at strengthening communities, improving living standards, and supporting balanced regional development along the Essequibo Coast.