Georgetown: The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is promoting the use of alternative building construction materials aimed at low-income homeowners.
Four model houses are currently being constructed at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara (EBD) with the aim is to provide lower cost building units, while simultaneously, reducing construction time.
Anthony Ragnauth, an engineer from CH&PA’s project department said while the Housing Unit is seeking to reduce costs there are other factors that are being considered to ensure the buildings stand the test of time.
“While we are looking at low cost and reducing the cost, those must be achieved with consideration for low maintenance, strength requirements, durability, so it could withstand our climatic conditions, and also fire resistance,” Ragnauth told the Department of Public Information at the construction site this morning.
The model houses are being constructed by the developer Eco Housing Incorporated. The company’s alternative materials being utilised are steel columns and metal frames along with mesh plastered with cement. Construction of the two three-bedroom and two two-bedroom houses commenced in October and is expected to be completed as early as next month.
Eco Housing Incorporated’s project manager Chris Chin said the alternative building project has been embraced by many countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Mongolia.
“So, we are here to do the low-cost houses for Guyanese, to help those of the low-income bracket to buy the houses. We have a contractor from China to build the houses,” she told DPI.
According to Ragnauth, the full price for the units has not yet been finalised as a number of factors still need to be considered.
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