A critical affordable housing initiative in Barbuda, fully financed by a grant from the People’s Republic of China, is on the cusp of breaking ground, after the project team wrapped up the vast majority of required land surveying work, an official government update has confirmed.
Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications for Antigua and Barbuda, shared the latest progress on the Louis Hill housing development during a post-Cabinet media briefing held Thursday. He emphasized that the project is advancing at an accelerated clip, with preparatory work moving ahead of schedule in key areas.
“They are moving forward at a fast pace,” Merchant told reporters. “I know that the surveys are being conducted; the majority have been conducted at the Louis Hill facility, and so it’s a matter of mobilization.”
Beyond confirming the completion of most survey work, Merchant also confirmed that all funding for the project has been secured. The full construction grant pledged by China is already in place, removing the biggest potential barrier to launching on-site work. “The grant from the People’s Republic of China for the construction of these homes in Barbuda is already in place,” Merchant said. “It’s just a matter of mobilization and getting started.”
The official announcement of the housing project’s progress came shortly after the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet ratified the first batch of freehold land certificates for Barbuda residents. This move is part of the national government’s landmark EC$1-an-acre land distribution program, which aims to expand land access and property ownership for local people.
At this stage, government officials have not released additional key details about the Louis Hill development, including an official construction kickoff date, the total number of residential units planned for the site, or a projected timeline for project completion.