The government is set to launch a new social housing programme that will provide between 3,000 and 5,000 homes for vulnerable citizens as part of efforts to expand home ownership and tackle the country’s housing backlog.
President Dr Irfaan Ali announced the initiative during a national address on housing, stating that the programme will be guided by strict eligibility criteria to ensure assistance reaches persons most in need.
The programme will target vulnerable groups, including single mothers facing economic hardship, persons living with disabilities and elderly citizens.
President Ali said the initiative forms part of a broader shift in the government’s housing policy, moving beyond the allocation of house lots and towards helping more Guyanese become homeowners.
“We are identifying a number of social homes. We are targeting maybe between 3,000 to 5,000 such homes. We will be launching that programme soon. We’ll be setting up a strict criteria for persons to have access to those homes,” he said.
The President said the social housing programme is intended to provide dignity, security and improved living conditions for citizens facing economic and social challenges.
He explained that the government’s approach is focused on building communities and ensuring housing developments are supported by infrastructure and essential services.
President Ali also revealed that the government has received more than 270 Expressions of Interest from contractors to construct housing units across different price categories.
“So we have gone out on an expression of interest. We have received more than 270 expressions of interest to construct housing units, and these are from varied prices. And this expression of interest was to help us to accelerate the development of areas and construction of homes simultaneously,” he said.
He said the increased participation from contractors will allow housing developments to move forward at a faster pace across the country.
According to President Ali, Guyana continues to face a housing backlog of approximately 75,000 to 78,000 applications, with more than 50,000 requests coming from Region Four.
Despite this challenge, the President noted that the government has distributed more than 53,000 house lots between 2020 and 2025 as part of its housing drive.
He said the administration’s 2025-2030 strategic housing plan is aimed at eliminating the backlog, with most regions expected to see significant progress by the end of 2027 through new housing schemes, infrastructure development and expanded construction.
Since 2020, the government has invested nearly $240 billion in the housing sector, developing more than 100 housing schemes, regularising 24 squatter settlements and benefiting more than 120,000 citizens through land allocations.
President Ali said projects such as Silica City, new housing schemes and expanded road networks will play a major role in increasing housing availability, particularly in Region Four, where demand remains highest.
He reiterated that the government’s objective is to create complete communities rather than simply provide houses, with affordable homes supported by infrastructure, public services and targeted assistance for vulnerable groups.
