GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Construction at the Yarrowkabra Homestead Project is progressing steadily, with the development emerging as a showcase for sustainable building practices through the extensive use of locally sourced timber, as the Government of Guyana advances a housing model designed to empower single mothers and low-income families.
Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry Vanessa Benn toured the project site earlier today to assess construction progress and review the materials and methods being employed. They were joined by Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Martin Pertab.
The project is being executed by Duravilla and currently utilises at least 15 locally available timber species, including greenheart, mora, purpleheart, wallaba, kabukalli and bulletwood. Officials said the approach supports Guyana’s forestry sector, encourages diversified timber use and demonstrates the suitability of local materials in modern, durable housing.
To date, the first 50 homes have been completed, while another 25 houses are at varying stages of construction. Local timber is also being incorporated into the construction of shade houses within the development, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on sustainability and climate resilience.
The Project forms part of a broader initiative unveiled by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who has described it as a transformative “homestead approach” to supporting low-income households, particularly single mothers.
President Ali announced that the master plan for the project—blending housing, agriculture and renewable energy—has been completed and will see 500 houses constructed on approximately 100 acres of land at Yarrowkabra, along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway corridor. The project is expected to commence fully shortly.
Under the model outlined by the President, each household will not only receive a home but also the means to generate income. Plans include coconut and/or breadfruit trees planted at the front of each property and a 20-by-40-foot shade house in the backyard to support small-scale farming. Produce from the community will be directed to a fixed agro-processing facility, reducing marketing costs and providing residents with a reliable source of earnings.
The development is also intended to be solar-powered, lowering energy costs while supporting Guyana’s transition to renewable energy.
President Ali has said the initiative carries an estimated cost of about $6 billion and will involve partnerships with the local private sector and commercial banks, positioning the project as both a social intervention and an engine for wealth creation.
Officials say the Yarrowkabra Homestead Project represents a new direction in housing policy—linking home ownership with agriculture, value-added processing and sustainability—to deliver long-term economic security for vulnerable families while contributing to national growth.
(Extracted and modified fromCentral Housing and Planning Authority)