The government will build 120 new homes and release 300 land parcels to citizens in 2026, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced Thursday, outlining one of the most aggressive housing and land-empowerment drives in recent years.
Browne detailed the plans during the presentation of the 2026 national budget, saying the initiative is designed to expand homeownership, increase access to affordable housing and ensure more Antiguans and Barbudans gain a direct stake in national development.
“The goal is to empower our people through land and home ownership,” Browne told Parliament, noting that hundreds of families are expected to benefit from the combined rollout of new homes and serviced lots. He said the government will prioritize young professionals, public servants and lower- to middle-income earners who have struggled with rising construction costs.
The homes will be constructed through the government’s existing housing programmes and in partnership with private contractors, using modern hurricane-resilient designs. Browne said the land parcels — many located in growing residential zones — will be sold below market rates to give citizens a fair opportunity to build a home or invest in small-scale development.
The Prime Minister said the housing plan is supported by the country’s improved fiscal position, including a primary surplus of $254.9 million and the strongest debt-to-GDP ratio Antigua and Barbuda has recorded in decades. He argued that disciplined financial management has allowed the government to scale up capital spending while expanding social programmes.
Housing officials say demand for affordable homes remains high, with applications far exceeding available units in prior years. The 2026 expansion also aligns with broader development goals, including strengthening community infrastructure, improving road access, and supporting the construction sector, which has grown from $273 million in 2013 to $900 million in 2024.
Browne said the government will continue releasing additional lands over the next several years to ensure Antiguans and Barbudans can “own a meaningful piece of the country they are building.”
Further details on the locations and application process will be announced when the budget debate resumes next week.
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But will the workers be paid the full legal wage instead of being underpaid?
Up to now Chapa can’t answer my damn email smfh!!
If you really believe this then I have some houses for you.
ALBP members application only.
Oh my, I know the writers of ANR are writing verbatim, but my goodness, what a load of crap.
😂.
“He argued that disciplined financial management has allowed the government to scale up capital spending while expanding social programmes”. Huh, did I read that correctly?
And in the same breath, $60mil going to workers who are waiting for their back pay!
Waw, make that make sense. Paying people and pensioners is the most viable social program GB. I’m very sure that many people will be more proud of the land they buy and the house they build with their hard earn wages, instead of government handouts.
Pay the people, and then they wouldn’t need your damn hand outs..fight for a living wage for workers, and they wouldn’t have to wait on your pie in the sky dreams every year..they will follow their own dreams and vision with the money they work for.
This man got everything arse backwards and the priorities of the people way out of wak.
I for one hate government programs, especially as an entrepreneur, and I’m sure every young person out their aspires to the same dreams.. government hand outs is a slap in the face, especially for proud Antiguan’s.
One of the very things they look at when you apply for immigration status in the US, is that you do not become a ” public charge”. That simply means you should be able to build for yourself as a human and do not rely on others or the government to take care of you.
That’s the mark and pride of all humans who seek their own destiny, not some government hand outs.
It’s not some great thing to be proud of GB, so, stop thinking you are some hero..you are setting up the people for failure.
Fight for equal rights across the board for all people, equal access, a fair market and equal market and not a repressive one, then you will be the hero that you so badly seek.. socialism is not a great thing as you may think.
What a joker!
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