No more roadside parking as truck parks planned for East Coast and East Bank corridors

Purpose-built truck parks, cleaner neighbourhoods and upgraded community spaces will form a major part of the government’s housing thrust in 2026, Housing Minister Collin Croal said as he detailed wide-ranging initiatives under one of the largest sectoral allocations in the national budget.

Speaking after the budget presentation on Monday, Croal said the rapid expansion of the construction sector and rising vehicle ownership have made truck parks and service zones a necessity, both to support economic activity and to restore order and aesthetics in residential communities.

“With the construction sector continuing to grow, many people now own trucks but don’t have the facilities to properly park or service them,” Croal said. “This has led to complaints from communities about repairs, spray painting and congestion. We are addressing that directly.”

The first truck park is already under development at Grove on the East Bank Demerara, with tendering completed for additional facilities on the East Coast and in other regions.

Croal noted that Guyana is now recording an average of about 10,000 new vehicles every three months, underscoring the urgency of the initiative.

Beyond truck parks, the minister said 2026 will see a strong push toward community beautification, drainage upgrades and environmental improvements across housing schemes.

“We cannot talk about beautification if we don’t address drainage,” Croal said, noting Guyana’s below-sea-level geography and long-standing flooding challenges in some communities. “You will see a lot of work on drainage, but also on trees, green spaces, proper maintenance and overall community enhancement.”

The aim, he said, is to transform housing areas into spaces that reflect modern development standards.

“When you enter a housing area, you should feel like you’re entering a developed country,” Croal added.

These initiatives form part of a broader housing programme backed by a major allocation in the 2026 Budget, which targets the construction of approximately 8,000 houses, the allocation of 15,000 house lots and the processing of several thousand land titles.

Croal said a key shift in the programme is the expanded focus on direct house construction, responding to strong demand from working professionals who lack the time to build on their own.

“We’re going full throttle,” he said, outlining plans to deliver about 8,000 houses per year, with a longer-term target of roughly 40,000 homes over five years. The programme caters to low-income, moderate-income and young professional households.

To support this scale of delivery, significant investments are being made in land preparation and infrastructure, ensuring areas are properly serviced before occupancy.

The minister also announced an expansion of the government’s housing subsidy support initiative, with $7.5 million allocated to assist homeowners who need small but critical upgrades.

“Some people already have a house, but they just need a little help—to fix a roof, install windows or complete basic improvements,” Croal said.

“This initiative is about helping people live comfortably and with dignity.”

Regionally, Croal said every part of the country will benefit, with major focus on Regions Three, Four and Six due to population growth and economic expansion. Developments at Wales on the West Coast Demerara, along with new road projects such as the Parika to Goshen Highway, are opening up new lands for housing.

Another major measure is the increase of the low-income mortgage ceiling to $30 million, allowing greater access to financing, particularly for young professionals. Insurance companies will also be recognised within the housing finance framework, expanding options for prospective homeowners.

Croal further highlighted continued efforts to accelerate land title processing and regularise informal settlements, stressing the importance of security of tenure.

“We want people to have ownership as quickly as possible,” he said. “Not just for today, but for the next generation.”