By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
The Government of Guyana says it is pressing ahead with an ambitious plan to transform communities nationwide, with major investments in housing and water infrastructure outlined in the 2026 National Budget.
Presenting the $1.558 trillion budget in the National Assembly, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, announced allocations of $159.1 billion for housing development and $21.6 billion for the water sector, aimed at expanding home ownership and ensuring reliable access to potable water across the country.
Dr. Singh said the government’s housing programme has already delivered transformative results over the past five years, with more than 100 housing areas developed, over 53,000 house lots allocated, and more than 2,600 homes constructed across all income categories.
In 2025 alone, infrastructure works were completed in coastal, hinterland, and riverain communities, resulting in the allocation of more than 13,000 house lots, construction of 570 homes, and distribution of over 5,500 land titles and transport, providing thousands of families with improved security of tenure.
Looking ahead, the government plans to significantly reduce the backlog of housing applications while shifting toward the construction of turnkey homes to meet growing public demand. Over the next five years, 40,000 new homes are expected to be built.
The $159.1 billion housing allocation for 2026 will support the development of new housing areas, the allocation of 15,000 house lots, the construction of 8,000 homes, and the issuance of more than 7,000 land titles. Additional measures to make home ownership more affordable include removing VAT on locally produced building materials, raising mortgage ceilings, and expanding housing assistance programmes.
On water security, Dr. Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to universal access to safe and reliable potable water, describing it as both a basic human right and a cornerstone of public health.
During the government’s last term, 29 deep wells were drilled along the coastland and 230 medium-depth wells in hinterland communities, alongside major upgrades to water distribution networks nationwide.
For 2026, the $21.6 billion allocation will be used to drill new wells, upgrade water treatment plants, modernise distribution systems, and improve water quality in communities across Guyana. The government says these investments are critical to supporting population growth, economic expansion, and improved living standards.
Dr. Singh stressed that the combined investments in housing and water reflect a people-centred development strategy focused on building sustainable, resilient communities and improvingthe quality of life for all Guyanese.
