Barbados is experiencing its most severe rental housing shortage in decades, driven by a surge in short-term holiday rentals and increasing demand from overseas tenants. Real estate agents report that affordable housing has become increasingly inaccessible for most locals, with prices skyrocketing due to the influence of initiatives like the Welcome Stamp program and the proliferation of Airbnb listings. Daryl Gill, owner of Timeless Properties, highlighted the dramatic shift in the rental market since 2021, noting that properties once available for $1,000 to $1,200 now rarely fall below $2,500. Gill explained that the conversion of long-term rentals into furnished short-term units has exacerbated the crisis, leaving low- to middle-income earners with few options. Regional migrants from countries like Dominica and Jamaica are also struggling to secure housing due to high prices and limited availability. Gill emphasized the need for policy intervention, warning that the situation is pushing housing further out of reach for locals. Real estate agent Kirt Trotman echoed these concerns, describing the shortage as ‘very difficult’ and noting the near absence of properties in the $900 to $1,600 range. Industry professionals attribute the crisis to the dominance of holiday rentals and the Welcome Stamp program, which has attracted digital nomads and short-term visitors. As Barbados continues to draw international interest, experts stress the urgent need to address the housing imbalance to prevent more locals from being left without homes.