Gov’t to clear Region 5 housing backlog by end of next year

The government is working to clear the entire housing backlog in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) by the end of next year, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo told residents during his Public Day outreach in the region.

Some 3,000 residents in the region are currently waiting on house lots.

The vice president said clearing that list will require the government to purchase private land before slots can be allocated.

“We still have to buy some land from private people to convert into housing,” he told them, pointing out that, unlike other regions, the government does not hold much land in Region Five.

The Ministry of Housing is therefore targeting two locations to acquire land and install the necessary infrastructure, so that residents who have already applied can receive their allocations.

Dr Jagdeo noted that further support is on the way, with President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali expected to launch a new programme at the upcoming Building Expo to help citizens build and own their homes. He said the president would speak to that initiative in greater detail.

The housing update came as the vice president brought a wide cross-section of government to meet residents directly, including the Minister of Agriculture and his team, the National Insurance Scheme, Home Affairs, the Guyana Police Force, Public Works, and the Ministry of Housing.

In the 2026 budget, the government allocated $159.1 billion to increase access to affordable homes, build new communities, and upgrade infrastructure in existing areas. [Department of Public Information]