Major expansion to drive housing sector in Region 6 this year

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has outlined an expanded housing and house-lot distribution programme for Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) in 2026, aimed at reducing the backlog of applicants, improving infrastructure in existing schemes, and accelerating home ownership for working-class families.

Housing Minister Colin Croal says the initiative forms part of the Administration’s broader housing drive, which has already seen thousands of house lots allocated nationwide since 2020, with Region Six identified as a priority area due to growing demand, population expansion, and renewed economic activity across the corridor.

While there were 8500 active applications as of late 2025, at the end of the year, the Administration had prepared more than 4600 fully serviced house lots available for allocation in the region.

Over 5600 house lots have been allocated in Region Six since 2020, with significant drives in 2025 adding thousands of new allottees in areas like Overwinning, Glasgow, and Ordinance Fortlands.

Approximately $14.8 billion is being invested in infrastructure to prepare an additional 6000 lots in the East Bank Berbice area, with completion expected by May 2026.

Under the 2026 plan, new housing schemes are expected to be opened and existing ones expanded in areas that include East Canje, Corentyne, and the New Amsterdam periphery. These developments will be accompanied by improved access roads, drainage networks, water supply, and electricity, ensuring that beneficiaries receive serviced lots rather than undeveloped land.

The Ministry has also signalled that the distribution process will continue to prioritise transparency and fairness, with allocations done through the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s database and public exercises. Applicants who have been waiting for extended periods, including young professionals, low-income earners, and single-parent households, are expected to benefit significantly from the 2026 rollout.

In addition to house-lot distribution, the PPP/C Administration plans to strengthen access to affordable housing solutions through partnerships with commercial banks and the New Building Society. Low-interest mortgage options, coupled with Government-backed initiatives such as steel and cement subsidies, are expected to make home construction more attainable for first-time homeowners in Region Six.

Several communities across East Berbice–Corentyne have already seen significant housing-related investments over the past few years, including the construction of new roads, bridges, and upgraded drainage systems, laying the groundwork for further expansion in 2026. The upcoming phase is expected to focus on faster land development timelines, improved planning layouts, and closer coordination with utility providers to reduce delays.

The housing push is also aligned with the Administration’s broader development agenda for Region Six, which includes investments in agriculture, small business development, education, and healthcare. By expanding access to home ownership, the Government says it aims to provide families with long-term security while stimulating local construction and employment.

The PPP/C has maintained that housing remains a central pillar of its social development strategy, emphasising that safe, affordable shelter is key to improving the quality of life and community stability.

The planned expansion is expected to place Region Six among the leading beneficiaries of the national housing programme this year, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to inclusive development across Guyana’s regions.