In a bold move to address housing shortages and urban decay, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that the Antigua and Barbuda government is prepared to purchase derelict and abandoned properties across the capital, St. John’s. This initiative aims to provide land and housing opportunities for low-income citizens while revitalizing neglected communities. Speaking on the *Browne and Browne Show* on Pointe FM, Browne outlined the dual objectives of the program: to clean up the city and to tackle the growing demand for affordable housing. The government will either buy these properties outright or offer swaps to owners, with a focus on converting neglected lots and abandoned buildings into usable spaces for those in need. Browne warned that uncooperative property owners could face periodic cleaning costs or even demolition of their structures. He emphasized that the program would be managed transparently, ensuring that properties are allocated to deserving individuals rather than being used for political favoritism. The broader goal is to remove urban eyesores, enhance public safety, and foster community pride while enabling working-class Antiguans to gain access to urban property ownership. ‘We have to rebuild the city and give our people the chance to live decently,’ Browne stated. ‘This is about helping those who have been left behind while cleaning up our country at the same time.’ The initiative also targets diaspora members who own derelict properties in St. John’s, offering them a chance to sell their assets to the government for redistribution to those in need.
PM Browne Says Government Ready to Buy Derelict Properties for Low-Income Antiguans
