$500M hostel to replace rat-infested Amerindian facility

Sep 03, 2026 News

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Construction of a new $500 million state-of-the-art Amerindian Hostel is expected to begin shortly, as the Government moves to replace the deteriorating facility on Princess Street that was thrust into the national spotlight last year over reports of rats, poor sanitation, overcrowding and inadequate care.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Brown-Shadeek announced the development on Tuesday during the official opening of Amerindian Heritage Month 2026, saying the project fulfils a commitment made by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. “I am pleased to update members of the public that the project for the construction of the new Amerindian Hostel is moving ahead, with construction expected to commence shortly,” Minister Brown-Shadeek said.

Meanwhile, according to a Department of Public Information release, the existing Amerindian Hostel continues to play a critical role in supporting residents from hinterland communities who require temporary accommodation while accessing services in Georgetown.

The deplorable conditions at the Amerindian Hostel on Princess Street were thrust into the national spotlight back in December 2025 when Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed and several Members of Parliament responded to desperate calls from residents begging for help. It was high drama at the hostel when the We Invest in Nationhood leader showed up to listen to complaints from residents of the deteriorating conditions of the facility, that they say is plagued by rats and other infestations and that they are poorly housed and fed.

In a subsequent statement, WIN said when Mohamed visited to provide representation, he was denied entry. The party said credible information reaching them is that the Amerindian Hostel is unkempt and in a deplorable condition. “One report is that there is a paralysed bedridden man, an amputee, and another with a stroke, all in an untidy room.” The party added: “while the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs continues to paint the exterior of the building, the condition beneath is appalling. Behind a few coats of paint is an untidy, rundown dwelling for our Indigenous brothers and sisters in the city.”

According to WIN after Mohamed and the MPs were ordered to leave the premises by the warden, acting on instructions from the PPP, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne, who had been completely absent until then, suddenly appeared over one hour later. “She arrived to meet nearly 100 distressed Indigenous dwellers and, instead of listening to their cries, attempted to make excuses for the PPP’s ongoing neglect and failure to address their most basic needs.”

Among the concerns WIN said it had received were: the hostel is extremely hot; there is a need for fans and air conditioning units; persons leave sicker after getting there, as the beds are not good and are too close to each other; the mattresses are thin, and people have reported getting scabies after a night there; the washrooms are out of order, and persons have to fetch buckets of water to flush toilets; there are no cleaning supplies in the toilet and that the food served at the hostel is usually subpar. Additionally, WIN said residents at the hostel complained that there is hardly any meat and they are often served sausages and sardines and are allowed only two slices of bread. “The water pressure is unstable and the hostel is infested with rats,” are the other complaints. WIN had called on the Minister of Amerindian Affairs to address the complaints immediately.

Also, at the opening Tuesday evening Minister Brown-Shadeek revealed that, up to the end of August 2026, approximately 1,835 persons from across the hinterland had received assistance through the facility. This support often includes transportation assistance, including flights and other travel arrangements to enable persons to return to their respective villages. The construction of the modern facility forms part of the government’s broader efforts to improve access to essential services for Indigenous peoples and further bridge developmental gaps between the hinterland and coastal regions. Minister Brown-Shadeek noted that the government remains committed to ensuring that hinterland communities benefit from improved access to healthcare, education, infrastructure and other essential services. The new facility is expected to provide better conditions and greater comfort for Indigenous residents who travel long distances from their communities to access medical and other services in Georgetown. (DPI)

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• Amerindian facility, Amerindian hostel, rat-infested, state-of-the-art

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