Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government may have to recruit additional construction workers from overseas if it is to meet its ambitious housing targets and address growing demand for homes across Antigua and Barbuda.
Speaking on his weekly radio programme, Browne said labour shortages have become one of the biggest obstacles facing the government’s housing programme, despite ongoing efforts to expand construction.
“What we’re trying to do is to scale up to about 500 homes a year,” Browne said. “We just don’t have enough workers.”
The Prime Minister explained that while financing remains a challenge, the shortage of skilled and unskilled labour is also limiting the pace at which new homes can be built.
As a result, Browne said the government is exploring ways to increase the available workforce, including the possibility of bringing in workers from overseas to supplement local labour.
The comments came as he outlined plans to significantly expand the country’s housing stock over the next decade.
According to Browne, the administration’s goal is to build at least 5,000 homes within 10 years, a target he said could improve living conditions for thousands of people.
“In the next 10 years, we must deliver no less than 5,000 homes to the people,” he said.
Browne estimated that achieving that objective could benefit as many as 15,000 people.
“If you provide 5,000 homes, on average about three persons per home, we are literally transitioning about 15,000 people into middle-income housing,” he said.
The Prime Minister also revealed that demand for housing remains exceptionally high, with approximately 7,500 applications currently on file.
“We have about 7,500 applications,” Browne said, noting that demand continues to grow even as new units are completed and allocated.
The government is simultaneously seeking additional financing to support the expansion of the housing programme. Browne disclosed that discussions are underway regarding a proposed $100 million housing bond, which he said could help increase annual construction to between 300 and 400 homes before eventually reaching the 500-home target.
The National Housing Development and Urban Renewal Company has also been tasked with increasing recruitment as part of the government’s effort to accelerate construction.
Browne said the combination of additional financing and a larger workforce will be essential if the government is to keep pace with housing demand and achieve its long-term goal of expanding home ownership opportunities across the country.
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That’s a load a crap!!!! No construction workers in Antigua. Did y’all put our any request and needs??? Never saw it. This is crazy. The pm had to have made a deal with some country to be accepting their men and I’m sure their families
HERE COME THE WORKERS FROM THE SECOND OFFICIAL LANGUAGE SPEAKING COUNTRIES. A WHA ARE YOU A GO DO BOUT DAT?
Why!?! There are local men seeking construction jobs daily. This is wrong.
Not crap Anonymous. It’s funny that every Antiguan who owns a hammer and a few nails thinks they are construction workers.🤣 Skilled, experienced construction workers are needed not “Ramshackle Royston” from Gray’s Farm whose experience is nailing some loose galvanized on his roof or is an expert at operating a wheelbarrow.
Why not ask the US to send Construction Workers they are deporting. We could use them here.
Abut time. Local construction leaves a lot to be desired. Too many unskilled and unqualified people on site. So it is long overdue that weoen the borders and allow skilled and competent individuals the opportunity to work here. For too long we have had to settle for local construction companies that have built substandard products that are not built satisfactorily. Maybe now we can see quality construction finally
@ Anonymous
You notice how this dude is always granting amnesties and always talking about importing workers it is his way of keeping Antiguans as the minority in this Country same as he wants to do the Barbudans. When Antiguans wake up to this reality too late, too late shall be the cry and many of these same people will occupy these houses. Mark my word
PEOPLE,PEOPLE,PEOPLE,STOP YOUR CRYING,NOW.YOU VOTED GASTON BROWNE INTO POLITICAL OFFICE AS PRIME MINISTER 4 TIMES. HE THINKS,THE COUNTRY IS OWNED BY HIM.IT WAS WILLED TO HIM BY THE FORMER LEADERS OF THE ALP/ABLP.YOU ARE WEARING WHAT YOU BOUGHT. AND REAPING WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN.WAKE UP PEOPLE,DO WAKE UP.
@ Less We Forget the US is punishing Caribbean leaders who said they staying in neutral gear during the Venezuelan President’s extraction…..U not assisting well no VISA and take immigrants….Sigh…….
@BSC YOUNG BOYS OF BERN. What did I tell you about writing in capital letters? Are you truly stupid or just a dumb teenager? If you are a teenager, then it’s time to learn to write normally with proper spelling, spacing and correct use of full stops/periods. If you need additional help in writing like an adult, then please speak to your teacher or your Mummy.
It’s time for you to wake up and learn how to use correct grammar. You can’t be a dumbass your entire life (or can you?🤔).
You call it punished..I call it, not having the wisdom to read the room. Pick.a bloody side. I don’t give a crap about the Donald, but that side should have been the US over a Maduro regime who have suffocate his own people..’ lesser of both evils’.
Again, @the world. You either have wisdom or you don’t..that’s why Solomon asked for wisdom when he was the king of Israel.
The ability to read the moment and the room, is tantamount as a leader, and GB has failed over and over, and that’s why he keeps getting duped..his words not mine.
Stop defending this failed person dude. There are many terrible leaders who have lead their nations for years..not because you have won a election 4 times means that you are a great leader..this man isn’t that .take your win, but please leave the rest to people with far more insight into this world than you.
What I would add to this is not that they are not enough workers….
There are not enough DEPENDABLE workers. Workers who will show up, give an HONEST days pay, and give QUALITY work.
You contract people, and you are practically calling and calling and begging and begging them to finish the job that they were contracted to do.
@PROUD ANTIGUAN: GO AND HAVE YOURSELF A MASTURBATION. IN OTHER WORDS,GO AND BLANK,BLANK,YOURSELF. ASK YOUR MAMA ABOUT ME,I REST MY CASE.
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