Housing and You…Where would you choose to build your home?

Jul 20, 2014 News

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By Leonard Gildarie
There has been some debate over our quality of housing and whether more could not have been done in terms of infrastructure and enforcement to ensure that the regulations are complied with.

We have a rather unique situation in Guyana. Most of the data available originate from more developed countries which have been around for years and have developed systems that have withstood the tests.
In Guyana, the situation is much, much different. In earnest, our housing drive shifted into high gear around 2000. It entered into a frenetic pace around 2006.
At first, the emphasis was on reducing that demand for housing. The Grove/Diamond scheme on the East Bank of Demerara is a classic example of what should not be done. Not much thought went into what has now emerged as a chaotic situation in terms of traffic flow.
The one main road into the area remains a bottleneck. The streets are too narrow. Flooding is a major issue, especially in the back parts. The NDC is doing a poor job in terms of the garbage. I have been receiving too many calls on this…and I have seen the evidence myself.
Of course, on the other hand, the economic activities that came as a result of the two schemes have been tremendous in moving that area into what Government is now considering to be a model. There are now three banks, insurance companies, drug stores, restaurants and even gyms opened up. Taxi services abound in the area too. A new access road is being built with interconnecting ones planned to link up with nearby villages up to Eccles and the East Coast of Demerara.
I happen to know for a fact that prices of real estate in the Diamond/Grove area have skyrocketed, with land prices for the lower income up to $3M…significant if taken into account that each one would have cost just over $100,000.
People are clamouring to grab a piece of that area and even others in the neighbouring new ones opening up in Farm, Herstelling and Providence.
I remember that for years, Diamond was without power and water. The roads were mere tracks. Today, there are telephone lines, a new well and plans to pass a new road from the city to the Timehri airport, behind the area.
The story is the same for quite a few areas.
Back then there were little monies. The demand for housing had pushed the Ministry of Housing to allocate the lands without a clear idea of when infrastructure would be in.
Today, it has changed. We see advertisements for contracts to install water mains, build bridges and roads, and a host of other services for the new schemes. It means that resources are now available to the Government to plan the schemes a little better.
Now most folks I know don’t really care. They just want a piece of land to build. The process of getting through with this at the Housing Ministry has sometimes been described as a nightmare, although the One Stop Shop exercises have been helping.
However, many persons who have been allocated lands are left stumped after the deed is done. The enormity of the work to be done has started to fully sink in. Most would have to apply for mortgage financing, not an easy task by itself.
I can testify to many nerve-wracking nights and days preparing documents for mortgages. There you have to deal with probably the worst of the lot…the contractors. In most cases, persons are forced to move in without the home completed.
Which brings me to complaints I have been receiving.
The CH&PA has in all likelihood been allocating lands in areas it has available. There are not many options left in terms of new lands. The East Coast of Demerara is gone and the available lands on the East Bank that are left are on the Linden/Soesdyke highway.
Most folks, especially at Diamond and across the river – West Bank – are regretting their decisions to build. On the East Bank, it is the traffic congestion. Across the river, the congestion complaints also include the cost of transportation.
Ideally, one should live close to work. However, there is nothing stopping you from living further. I see people driving to work when they are living at Vreed-en-Hoop, a village in West Demerara located opposite Stabroek Market.
The traffic lines at the Demerara Harbour Bridge at peak times are tough to say the least. I would want to be innovative – leave the car at home and take the speedboat. There is a new bridge slated for the Demerara River in a few years.
Home prices are bound to go up. The idyllic life of West Demerara is unlike many parts of the country.
In other words, any house lot that you will receive, you will have to prepare to make some sacrifices. Your lifestyle will change. Your expenses will go up. You will be shopping differently.
If I had to choose any part of Guyana to live right now other than the city, it would be the West Bank.
For those who are thinking of buying a home or acquiring a house lot, while location is critical, be prepared to make sacrifices. It will be easier to accept.
God bless and please do continue to send your comments to [email protected] or call with suggestions to 225-8491 or 682-1256.

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