The Government’s Hinterland Housing Programme continues to provide better living conditions to vulnerable families across the interior regions, including Jennifer Douglas — a 32-year-old mother of five from Sand Creek, Region Nine, who cares for a child living with a disability.
Jennifer previously lived in a small structure without proper doors or windows. Through the housing programme, she received a new house that immediately transformed her family’s living conditions.
“I was struggling in my house before,” Jennifer said. Speaking about her new home, she added, “mostly it’s for my disabled little daughter, she doesn’t have [an] arm on one side”. She further stated that she is happy the government established such a programme to support families like hers.
On Sunday, Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, and Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn, officially handed over keys to Jennifer and 29 other beneficiaries during an outreach to Region Nine. They were accompanied by Regional Chairperson, Ms. Vania Albert Allicock, and Hinterland Engineer at the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Mr. Cy Rodrigues.
The 500 square feet flat houses altogether represent an investment of $105 million and were constructed on communal land at no cost to the beneficiaries. Twenty homes were built in Sand Creek and ten in Rupunau, using locally sourced materials such as clay bricks and timber, and local labour, helping to bolster the village economy. The Village Councils identified the most vulnerable households to benefit.
Among the recipients was also 89-year-old Manoel Jacobs of Sand Creek, who is wheelchair-bound. His daughter and caretaker, Celia Jacobs, spoke on his behalf. “Now he get this big house he glad to get this,” she said, explaining that her father previously lived in a much smaller structure that made mobility extremely difficult.
In Rupunau, father of ten, Flavian Thomas, said the new home will have a lasting impact on his family. “My children are more comfortable than before,” he shared, describing the house as a significant improvement from their earlier living conditions.
The Hinterland Housing Programme supports vulnerable families through the construction of homes in Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine. In Region Nine alone, Minister Croal noted that 120 homes were constructed in several villages under the initiative.
He emphasized that the programme delivers on a commitment made by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and highlighted that during his second term, the government will continue rolling out transformative housing projects across hinterland communities. He also pointed to major upgrades in health, education, and infrastructure in the region through the current administration.
Minister Benn congratulated the beneficiaries, stressing the meaningful impact the new homes will have on their lives.
She also highlighted the benefits of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, noting that Sand Creek receives $24 million annually for community development projects, under the Forest Carbon Credit Programme, while Rupunau is allocated $18 million per year.
The LCDS 2030, she said, ensures that hinterland villages directly benefit from this national development initiative, which in part supports projects developed by the residents themselves under their Village Sustainability Plans.
Photos: Sydel Thomas, Central Housing & Planning Authority PR Department.
