Ahead of the April 30 general election in Antigua and Barbuda, the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has placed aggressive affordable housing expansion at the center of its campaign policy platform, promising to deliver more than 270 newly constructed residential units across the twin-island nation by 2026. Works and Housing Minister Maria Browne laid out the full scope of the ruling party’s expanded “housing revolution” initiative during the official launch of ABLP’s “Renaissance” election manifesto, held at the American University of Antigua Conference Centre, breaking down the project pipeline across two government agencies.
Per Browne’s outline, the Central Housing and Planning Authority will lead construction of a minimum of 120 new homes, while the National Housing and Urban Renewal Development Company will contribute an additional 150 units to reach the total annual target of more than 270 completed residences. Major housing developments earmarked for communities including Bolans, Glanvilles, and North Sound will make up a large share of this new supply, with additional planned projects also on the docket for St Johnson’s Village, Cedar Valley, Paynters, and multiple communities across Barbuda.
Beyond new construction, the minister confirmed that the transformative Booby Alley urban redevelopment project is on track to wrap up by 2026, an initiative she says will drive widespread quality-of-life improvements for the entire surrounding neighborhood. Unlike housing policies that focus solely on building structures, Browne emphasized that the ABLP’s strategy prioritizes holistic community development. Each new neighborhood will be outfitted with core public infrastructure including paved roads, modern drainage systems, pedestrian sidewalks, and public green spaces, all designed to prioritize public safety, universal accessibility, and social inclusion for residents of all ages and abilities.
In addition to building new housing stock, the government is expanding targeted support for vulnerable households through targeted repair grants and home improvement assistance, ensuring that low-income and marginalized families can secure safe, stable housing without bearing unmanageable costs. Browne framed the government’s housing agenda as a direct rebuke to exclusionary housing policies that treat home access as a luxury, asserting that secure, affordable housing is a fundamental human right. “Housing is not a privilege, it is a right. It is a foundation of dignity, a platform for opportunity and a pathway to generational wealth,” she stated, noting that expanded access to stable housing will also support long-term economic stability for Antigua and Barbuda families by reducing cost burdens and building household assets.
Browne emphasized that the ABLP’s track record on housing and infrastructure delivers tangible, visible progress for residents, rather than unfulfilled campaign promises. The 2026 housing target is the centerpiece of the party’s “Renaissance” manifesto, which outlines the ABLP’s policy agenda if it retains power following the upcoming general election. “This is what the Renaissance looks like — more homes, stronger communities and greater opportunity for our people,” Browne added.