In an emotional ceremony that highlights the human impact of government-led social support initiatives, a Briggins resident has been given the keys to her very own new home through Antigua and Barbuda’s Housing Assistance Programme for Vulnerable Individuals (HAPPI), a scheme designed to lift low-income and vulnerable community members out of inadequate housing.
Dawn Simon, the beneficiary of this latest handover, broke into tears of joy as representatives of the Social Protection Board, operating under the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, officially transferred ownership of the property to her. Officials framed the moment as a key incremental milestone for the ongoing programme, which has steadily expanded its reach across the twin-island nation.
Mary Baltimore, Operations Manager of the Social Protection Board, emphasized during the ceremony that the handover represented far more than the transfer of a physical building. Speaking directly to a visibly moved Simon, Baltimore noted that the property was more than concrete and timber—it was a stable, secure foundation for the future, a space Simon could truly call her own. “I know that you are happy. I know the tears are tears of joy,” Baltimore said. “It’s not only a home. We want you to know it’s not a building, but it’s a home. And we are happy today to actually hand over that building to you.”
Sarah Stewart, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, reaffirmed the programme’s lasting positive impact on communities across Antigua and Barbuda, noting that successive handovers have transformed the daily lives of hundreds of vulnerable residents. Stewart praised the government’s commitment to closing the country’s affordable housing gap, calling the initiative a landmark achievement for the nation’s social development agenda. She also extended gratitude to the Social Protection Board’s staff and the private sector partners that have supported the programme’s expansion. “The government is really, really, really, really doing something wonderful for the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” Stewart said.
For her part, Simon offered heartfelt thanks to the government officials, programme administrators, and supporting stakeholders who helped make her dream of homeownership a reality. She singled out senior political leaders and programme staff for their ongoing support, ending her remarks with a call for the work to continue. “I’d like to thank Brigadier Telbert Benjamin, Mrs. Gumbs, also the Honourable State—cutie Benjamin, the Honourable Maria Browne and the staff of HAPPI programme. May God bless you all and y’all keep up the good works,” she said.
Private sector support extended beyond programme funding, with one local business stepping forward to provide an additional gift to Simon to help her settle into her new home. King’s Casino, a long-time supporter of HAPPI beneficiaries, donated a 50-inch television to Simon, while another major corporate partner, the West Indies Oil Company, contributed other forms of practical assistance to the project.
This latest handover marks another incremental step forward for the HAPPI programme, which is advancing its core mission: one home at a time, the initiative is working to lift vulnerable residents out of substandard housing and build long-term, stable communities across Antigua and Barbuda.