Fifty-four families from Region Three, Essequibo IslandsโWest Demerara, are one step closer to achieving secure homeownership, after receiving Cement and Steel Vouchers from the Government of Guyana to support ongoing construction on their homes.
The beneficiaries were presented with vouchers that can now be redeemed at selected hardware stores in Region Three for essential construction materials. The assistance allows homeowners to continue building with reduced financial strain, helping families move into completed homes much sooner.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Water, Mr. Bishram Kuppen, and Director of Operations, Mrs. Denise King-Tudor, both attended the ceremony and shared in the celebrations with parents, young professionals, and new homeowners eager to accelerate their construction plans.
Addressing the gathering, Minister within the Ministry, the Hon. Vanessa Benn, noted that the Government remains fully aware of the challenges families face in completing their homes and is committed to practical, real-world solutions. She reminded recipients that the vouchers are intended to provide security, comfort and confidence as families work to enhance their living spaces, urging them to make the best possible use of the assistance.
Minister of Housing, the Hon. Collin Croal, told the families that the Cement and Steel Voucher initiative was launched by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali in July 2022 as part of the national commitment to make homeownership accessible for all Guyanese. Since its introduction, the Government has invested nearly three-quarter billion dollars into the programme, demonstrating its seriousness about supporting people through every stage of the housing journey.
He explained that Region Three alone has already benefited from more than $60 million in vouchers under this initiative, and that todayโs distribution accounts for just over $11 million. Minister Croal noted that the assistance does not stand alone, but forms part of a wider package of policies designed to support residents. He pointed to ongoing arrangements with commercial banks to make loans more affordable, while the voucher programme has directly supported homebuilders by reducing the upfront costs of construction.
Croal said the construction sector continues to boom, and the Government intends to ensure that families are able to access land, secure financing, and complete their homes so that new communities can flourish. He emphasised that the goal is not simply to allocate house lots, but to ensure occupancy, comfort and long-term security for families across Guyana.
For many of the families present, the vouchers represent more than building materialsโthey represent progress, dignity and a pathway to a better life. As they begin to uplift their materials in the coming days, the programme continues to demonstrate its value in strengthening communities, supporting economic activity and placing the dream of homeownership well within reach for ordinary citizens.
Photos: Sydel Thomas, Central Housing & Planning Authority PR Department.
