LETTER: Homes for Profit Not For the People

1. I’m not understanding.

2. This country is a paradise for private property owners. There is no law to tell you how much you should rent your property for. I remember in the mid 70s when I was looking for a house to rent in Gambles. The house was owned by an young Antiguan banker. I argue with him to lower the rent. And he just told me if I do not want it I can leave it right their he doesn’t need to have it rented. To which I replied, well if you do not need the rent why not give it to me for free. This is to show you the mind set of people owning property. I’m sure many don’t even pay property tax. And furthermore they do not maintain their property. Thank God now for AirBnB. Many properties are now rented to tourist or expats. Locals are only able to rent substanderd wooden homes. That is why we have to thank this government program to make housing affordable for the middle class and lower income. And not your regular wooden home. But a concrete house. And the HAPPY program just gave away yet another home to a poor lady who had lost her home.
   But writer government should not regulate everything. Or it will be interfering in the markets of “demand and supply”. Those who want to remain demanding high rent let them stay with their property and perhaps it will be a burden for them in the end. And with the new law coming up if they do not maintain it, it will be auctioned.

3. 100% agree. Rent here is chaotic and overpriced. Sick of seinf houses in usd for rent. Government homes are over 300k it’s pure madness and shows lack of care and planning. 90% of antigua living paycheck to paycheck

4. Everybody silent this is true landlords advantaging us as we talk they tell us find another place Mr prime minister we need help oh God mon these houses are expensive we need help our pay isn’t enough to go bank an get loan to get our own house because our minimum wages is too little we need help this is out a hand,u have land lord living comfortable while tenant suffer my pass landlords told me I can’t use my micro wave because of too much current we need help lots of us can’t afford it to live on our own because it’s expensive
   Nobody helping us no t a soul

5. Nobody study the poor this is why por a ppl killing themselves they can’t take it the living conditions is outrageous an they can’t do better

6. It’s called capitalism my friend, part of living in an “economic powerhouse”. You’re free to build an apartment building and rent them out for rock bottom prices…or free! If you want affordable housing there a some countries in South America you might want to visit.

7. What about building starter homes for those in the lowest income brackets. Something that is actually affordable and sell with a caveat that when the initial mortgage is paid they are eligible for the second mortgage to upgrade or if they wish they can do their upgrades as time and money allows.

8. The Gravity of Housing Cost

   In the world of housing and infrastructure, the immutable laws of economics are as unyielding as gravity. Every structure, from the humblest home to the most grandiose skyscraper, is a testament to countless inputs: raw materials, labor, transportation, tools, equipment, permits, and technology. Yet, we are often tempted to ignore these fundamentals, seduced by the notion that housing should be affordable at any cost. However, the consequences are unavoidable if we consistently sell things for less than they cost to produce. The math doesn’t lie.

   To build a house, you need concrete blocks, cement, wood, steel, glass, skilled labor and much more; you get the picture. These are not abstract concepts but actual, tangible inputs that come with a price tag. Add to that the cost of infrastructure—roads, water, electricity, and sewage systems- and the price of a single unit balloons further.

   Yet, many governments and developers are caught in a paradox. On the one hand, they want to meet the demand for affordable housing. On the other hand, they cannot defy the financial realities of construction. When houses are sold below their cost, someone, somewhere, is subsidizing the difference. That “someone” could be the taxpayer, a private entity taking losses, or future homeowners inheriting crumbling homes and infrastructure.

   Pricing below cost might look noble or pragmatic in the short term, but it has long-term ramifications. Quality inevitably suffers when developers are forced to cut costs to meet artificially prescribed low price points. Houses may be built quickly but not sustainably or slowly with poor quality controls, leading to expensive repairs and maintenance for occupants down the line.

   Moreover, underpricing disrupts the market. It discourages private investment, stifles innovation, and creates dependency on subsidies. Worse still, it often leads to housing shortages, as developers opt out of projects they cannot profitably deliver.

   Mathematics governs every aspect of construction, from structural integrity to cost accounting. Ignoring it is asking to build a housing program on quicksand. Just as a bridge must be engineered to withstand the forces of gravity, a housing market must be structured to reflect the realities of supply, demand, and cost.

   Some argue that the solution lies in subsidies or price controls. While these measures can provide temporary relief, they are not sustainable in isolation. Subsidies must be carefully calibrated to ensure they do not distort markets or create a culture of dependency. Similarly, price controls can only work if equivalent investments match them in cost reduction, such as through technological innovation or economies of scale.

   The way forward lies in balancing compassion with pragmatism. The Government and planners must work to reduce the costs of inputs by fostering innovation and increasing efficiency and proficiency in applying construction techniques and materials. Policies should incentivize efficiency and sustainability rather than perpetuate inefficiencies through blanket subsidies.

   Town and Country planning must also prioritize mixed-income communities and increase densification to maximize land use and minimize infrastructure costs. Public-private partnerships can bridge the gap between affordability and profitability, creating housing that is both accessible and economically viable.

   Ultimately, the laws of economics cannot be repealed any more than the laws of physics. If we want to create a housing ecosystem that is equitable, resilient, and sustainable, we must start by respecting the math. Because, like gravity, it’s not just a force to reckon with—it’s the foundation of everything we build.

9. @less we forget.
   Are you that stupid for real?

   The government is the people, and if the people’s/government are not heard, so what’s the use of leadership?

   Do you really understand government and the purpose of it?

   The voice of the people must be heard, otherwise why vote?
   The rich is spending big money for their lobbiest, but who is lobbying for the poor?

   You sound like the biggest educated fool I ever heard speak.

   Sit your butt down if you do not know what to inject in these topics.

10. @welcome.

    Stop your foolishness. Antigua is not a capitalistic state, it was built on the British socialism system.

    I know you’ll so badly want to be Americans, but sit there and have no concept of the rules about goods and services and consumer rights.

    There is such a thing that’s called consumer laws dude..if you want to be like America, you must implement those laws that protect the consumer. Also, if you are so proud of the US dollar, that rental properties are advertised in the USD, then open a branch call ” the better business bureau”, otherwise you just sound as dumb as @Less we forget.

    None of these things exist in Antigua, and that’s why supper markets and grocery stores can sell you goods that are 6 months expired and no one get in trouble for it.

    So this is what the writer is asking for, you dummy. Regulation damn it.

    Like I said .victim blaming is all most Antiguan’s are good for, and that’s why many would stay as dumb as a brick until the day they die. Sounding educated doesn’t mean you are smart fellow!

11. I agree 100%. It called low income housing for the lower class, yet as a teacher we can not aafford to purchase one of these home on the small salary.

    So tell me who are these low-income houses for?

12. If your landlord increases your rent and no additional upgrades was done you can go to price & consumer affairs office on the corner of Radcliffe street and corn ally they will assist by coming to view the property and do a rent valuation base on the condition of the house. It should help because I have use this service before.

13. Thank you to the letter writer for highlighting this issue. The problem has many causes relating to math, planning, regulations, and care for fellow countrymen and women. But, there are solutions. Builders must calculate what kind of house is actually affordable and build that. Smaller sizes, fewer artistic features might be needed. Townhouses or row houses could help bring down costs because infrastructure such as water and electricity lines can be shared across multiple properties. Regulations could put rental caps on housing in select neighbourhoods. Persons with means could enter the rental market to provide affordable rentals to their countryfolk instead of trying to make big profits from rich foreign expats. Young people looking for work: Building affordable housing for fellow locals is a noble business that would earn you a decent living. Be part of the solution not the problem.

14. Who is this writer? He or she, most likely a he, deserves an award. I was just speaking about this topic. Like going to Antigua and the restaurants catering to guest selling some of the lowest grade of food at ridiculous prices. The food are red lobster, tgif, olive garden level but selling them in Antigua and Barbuda for 5 star restaurant level.

    That is dumb because this is the situation where you want to sell for a lower price to get more sales and make more profit instead of selling the crappy food that gives me diarrhoea as a 5 star price.

    We Antiguans have become greedy and stupid. Imagine the ridiculous profit you can make by selling at a reasonable price, getting quicker turn over. Making more money.

    Use your brains people. Also it is annoying when I am looking to buy land and houses you are selling in USD and ridiculous prices, what happen to locals, they don’t deserve anything?

    Everything in Antigua is overpriced and have nothing to do with fair market value or strategic market value. But with incompetent leaders and administrative agencies people just do what they want and they have no clue they are causing the economy to not expand as much as it actually can.

15. I love wooden house, especially sideboard designs. Not a fan of concrete houses even though they might be stronger. Wooden houses are more beautiful.

16. Who is this writer? He or she, most likely a he, deserves an award. I was just speaking about this topic. Like going to Antigua and the restaurants catering to guest selling some of the lowest grade of food at ridiculous prices. The food are red lobster, tgif, olive garden level but selling them in Antigua and Barbuda for 5 star restaurant level.

    That is dumb because this is the situation where you want to sell for a lower price to get more sales and make more profit instead of selling the crappy food that gives me diarrhoea as a 5 star price.

    We Antiguans have become greedy and stupid. Imagine the ridiculous profit you can make by selling at a reasonable price, getting quicker turn over. Making more money.

    Use your brains people. Also it is annoying when I am looking to buy land and houses you are selling in USD and ridiculous prices, what happen to locals, they don’t deserve anything?

    Everything in Antigua is overpriced and have nothing to do with fair market value or strategic market value. But with incompetent leaders and administrative agencies people just do what they want and they have no clue they are causing the economy to not expand as much as it actually can.

    LETTER: Homes for Profit Not For the People – Antigua News Room https://share.google/TTBelLfN9tKwq4kds

17. We don’t just have a problem with housing, we have a problem with the agreed upon system of monetary control. Currently our system is managed by central banks, who through controlling interest rates and monetary supply (broadly speaking) seek to maintain an inflation rate of 2%-3% per annum. This is done for several reasons too numerous to mention here, but suffice it to say it drives innovation through incentivizing spending and investment and is seen as “sustainable”. What does this mean though?

    In simple language it means that central banks seek to manage inflation such that every dollar is work 2-3% less every year. Now you might say this is noble because inflation is kept for spiking to 10 or 15% or that deflation is avoided. In deflation every dollar is worth MORE by x% every year. Why is this bad? Apparently because in deflation people dont spend, they “hoard” money. Banks don’t lend, investors don’t fund businesses, since simply holding on to their cash will lead to gains in purchasing power without the risks associated with lending/investing it.

    What does this have to do with housing? Well, it means that every year the cost of housing rises by 2-3% because all the raw materials must be purchased with money that is now worth less. Labour costs also increase because as prices everywhere rise by 2-3% per year, workers demand more in order to simply sustain their standard of living (workers may notice this more slowly or be less successful in negotiating wage increases annually, but eventally wages must go up or people will refuse to work). Landlords also raise rents for the same reasons, the rent the collected last year no longer are able to pay for maintenance, repairs, rising insurance and then fund the same lifestyle the landlord had last year. If landlords were the problem people could just avoid paying rent and go purchase a home but thats not happening because housing costs are also going up (because of inflation) and therefore putting them out of reach for many.

    Solution…ish. We need a better system of monetary governance. We cannot rely on debt. Inflation rates of 2-3% are clearly NOT SUSTAINABLE unless you can force the everyday person to accept years of wage freezes while their salaries are deliverately devalued at a rate of 2-3% per annum. Can we / should we go back to an older system, pre 1971 Bretton Woods? Maybe. Can we come up with a better system? Almost certainly! But we must first accept the problem with the current system, something which, in my experience, it pains economists, financial governance and political operatives to do.

18. If you as a country have an influx of Expats. Is normal God’s increase the price. Is basic in Free Market.
    The prices is base on the demand. Something that doesn’t fit the demand. Always will increase the the price.
    You can’t force nobody to top the prices in Real state. Regardless the amount of construction going around. Still the demand is ridiculous high. How long take to build a house, or apartment complex. Months or few years. So the demand can’t be fulfilled in short time. Because more Expats are coming and the demand is going up and up.
    You can’t obligate nobody to rent their property even if it is empty just because you want it. Or force them to rent it in some price when the value of the property is very high. That doesn’t work in that way.
    Most people refuse to rent to low incomes people because there is a result of common behavior of tenants making real mess inside properties when they use it for a period of time.
    Stop asking Government to interfere in everything. SAME government that doesn’t have proper accountability of how they spend the government Budget.
    There is 3 basic Rights to make a society wealthy, and a government only should exist to protect them and make it possible.
    Right to Freedom
    Right to Life
    Right to Private property

    The rest are privileges. Is the same people who are part of the government, if you give up your basic rights to small groups of people and let them regulate that. Then you lose your freedom and those gonna use by force the power of the government to violate your basic rights. That is the last thing you want.
    Stop asking to the government to regulate everything. The last thing you want to hear in your life is a government telling you they will take care of you, because in return you will have to give up your freedom.

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