Over 2100 land titles, over 1000 house lots allocated and more than 700 agreements of sale signed were among the housing services delivered during the three-day International Building Expo 2026 held at the Guyana National Stadium as part of International Building Expo 2026. Housing Minister Collin Croal said the expo attracted more than 50,000 persons. Croal, in a wrap-up statement, said over 2100 certificated titles were made available for upliftment, with more than 50 per cent already collected. He said beneficiaries from Vriesland, La Grange, Bath Settlement, Leonora West, Good Hope and Lusignan are among those eligible to collect their documents. He added that remaining recipients can uplift titles at the regional office or the Ministry’s central office. The Minister also reported that a small-scale type allocation exercise was conducted during the event, resulting in just over 1000 house lots being allocated on the ECD.

The Ministry, he said, is working through pending applications as lands become available, noting that further allocations will be processed through the system. He further disclosed that more than 700 persons turned up to sign Agreements of Sale for Blocks A and B of Vive La Force and De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara (WCD), adding that those who missed the signing exercise can complete the process at the Region Three office. The Ministry also distributed over 70 steel and cement subsidy vouchers valued at more than $70 million to eligible residents in Region Three as part of its housing support programme. Croal said the services offered at the expo were intended to reduce processing time for applicants and improve access to housing-related services. He also reported that the expo featured more than 350 exhibitors, including developers, banks, construction firms and service providers. Six housing units were displayed, with contributions from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and private developers. The event also included a small business pavilion, food court, equipment zone, play area and a two-day seminar series with more than 15 presentations on topics including sustainable urban planning, construction standards, climate resilience, financing, and smart technologies. Croal said the seminars attracted both in-person and virtual participation and noted that apart from one minor incident, the expo was largely incident-free.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing Vanessa Benn, CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Martin Pertab, and the Central Housing and Planning Authority Central Housing and Planning Authority also played key roles in the staging of the event. International Building Expo 2026, themed “Guyana at 60: Building Strong Foundations for a Sustainable Future was officially opened on Thursday last. At the opening, President Dr Irfaan Ali said Guyana’s housing and infrastructure sectors have seen significant transformation since 2020, driven by increased public confidence and expanded Government investment. He reported that housing applications have risen by about 60,000, bringing the total to 81,000 and noted that around 30,000 land titles have already been processed, with efforts underway to clear a remaining backlog of just over 20,000. The President also announced plans for a new housing strategy targeting vulnerable groups including single parents and persons with disabilities, while highlighting rising property values, expanded infrastructure and improved access to mortgage financing. He said the housing drive is part of a national development agenda focused on diversification beyond oil, stronger institutions and improved living standards.