THE announcement by President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday that the Government is looking at a low-income housing programme with an allocation of $500M as a revolving fund would be welcome news to many people.

As he noted, it is not simple for low-income earners to get loans from the commercial banks to build houses.

The administration deserves a lot of credit for the housing programme that it has embarked on and thousands have benefitted from the ambitious scheme.

Many who years ago could not have dreamed about getting a house lot, are today proud owners of homes in schemes going up around the country.

But many others find it difficult to build and it is in this regard that the initiative the President briefed reporters about yesterday is significant.

He said that the Government, in its bid to assist those who do not have enough capital to build their homes, plans to construct about 400 units costing $1.5M and $750,000 each.

It will be a project similar to that of the commendable Habitat for Humanity Guyana drive which is the focus of a `World Leaders Build' programme this week.

Housing has been the flagship of the administration and President Jagdeo was yesterday perhaps reinforcing the determination to forge ahead with his participation in the Habitat for Humanity drive.

Housing Minister, Mr. Shaik Baksh and Prime Minister Sam Hinds joined others in pitching in at the launching at the Diamond, East Bank Demerara site Sunday.

They are helping a deserving cause, highlighting in the process that much remains to be done in the housing sector.

For its part, the Ministry of Housing is also embarking on a programme to build model houses to assist persons who receive house lots but cannot afford to build, Mr. Jagdeo said yesterday.

After the recent fire that wiped out its complex in the city, the Housing Ministry has been moving to keep its programmes on stream, especially the distribution of house lots.

The work of the ministry would have suffered from the effects of the fire but it is critical that this vital sector should not lose much of its momentum.

Thousands are still to acquire house lots and get their own homes and many deserve all the help they can get.

We understand that an update on the situation would be presented soon with the Government outlining a longer term programme for housing.

It is clear that there is an appreciation of the realities at the highest levels of the administration and those in the low income bracket can expect more measures to help them achieve their dreams of owning houses.

What will be required is an understanding of the prevailing circumstances and the clear fact that the sector remains a priority for the Government.