50 houses completed at Yarrowkabra Homestead Project

Works are moving apace at the Yarrowkabra Homestead Project with the first 50 homes already completed and another 25 currently under construction, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the Head of State pointed out that locally-sourced timber is being used for shade houses—reinforcing sustainability and climate resilience.

“This flagship initiative uniquely combines affordable housing with agriculture, income generation, and sustainable living—empowering single mothers and low-income families to build stronger, more secure futures,” President Ali noted.

Located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, the Yarrowkabra Homestead Project will see some 200 prefabricated homes, costing $6.5 million each, constructed.

Under the Ministry of Housing, this project is being executed by DuraVilla Homes Guyana Inc. and utilises at least fifteen locally available timber species. These species include burada, bulletwood, darina, greenheart, kabukalli, mora, purpleheart, shibidan, simarupa, silverballi, iteballi, lemonaballi, tatabu, tauroniro, and wallaba.

The Yarrowkabra Homestead Project is a major component of President Ali’s $6 billion housing initiative, which aims to build 500 sustainable homes along the highway.

The project was conceptualised to provide affordable housing opportunities for low- and middle-income families while promoting planned and orderly development along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway corridor. It forms part of the Government’s wider housing programme aimed at reducing the housing deficit, expanding home ownership, and fostering resilient communities.

The project is expected to benefit single mothers and low-income families seeking secure home ownership, particularly first-time homeowners. In addition to meeting housing needs, the development contributes to economic growth through job creation and increased demand within the construction and forestry sectors.

During a recent site visit to inspect the progress, Housing Minister Collin Croal reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to housing solutions that are affordable, durable, and environmentally responsible, while his colleague at the ministry, Minister Vanessa Benn, emphasised the importance of on-site monitoring to ensure quality standards and timely delivery.

The Agriculture Ministry is spearheading the development of shade houses, while the Office of the Prime Minister is overseeing the installation of solar power systems.