The government of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled a groundbreaking housing resilience strategy designed to protect vulnerable communities from devastating flood damage. Through a specialized home elevation program, authorities will physically raise flood-prone residences to safer elevations, particularly targeting wooden structures built in low-lying areas.
Social and Urban Transformation Minister Roland Turner explained the critical need for intervention during an interview with ABS News. “Many homes in these vulnerable areas lack sufficient elevation to allow floodwaters to pass safely underneath during heavy rainfall events,” Minister Turner stated. He characterized the solution as “a very simple intervention” that could dramatically reduce property damage and financial losses for at-risk homeowners.
The innovative program will be integrated into the existing Housing Assistance Programme Initiative (HAPI), which already facilitates repairs, renovations, and reconstruction projects for disadvantaged residents. This expansion comes alongside a significant infusion of resources, including building materials valued at over EC$1 million that have recently arrived for distribution.
To address implementation challenges, the government has developed a comprehensive workforce strategy. Cabinet has approved the deployment of newly recruited construction workers from the Dominican Republic to supplement existing teams, including inmate labor programs. This additional manpower will support three specialized construction teams operating simultaneously across the nation, significantly accelerating the pace of housing improvements.
The multi-faceted approach represents one of the Caribbean region’s most comprehensive housing resilience efforts, combining structural interventions, material support, and workforce development to create sustainable solutions for climate-vulnerable communities.