As the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda prepares to open the gates of its new 150-unit Pelican Court housing complex to incoming residents, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has laid out an ambitious framework of security, management, and behavioral rules designed to keep the development safe and well-maintained for decades to come. The plan, announced during the Prime Minister’s recent appearance on the *Browne and Browne Show*, puts tackling illicit drug activity at the forefront of residential regulations, with permanent expulsion on the table for tenants found trafficking narcotics from their units.
Initial security discussions centered on assigning two full-time police officers to live on the property to monitor activity and respond quickly to safety concerns. However, Browne revealed that policymakers have revised this proposal after feedback, and are now evaluating the feasibility of opening a dedicated permanent police outpost within the development. If the outpost moves forward, it will be staffed by two rotating officers at any given time, bringing consistent, visible law enforcement presence directly to the complex.
Beyond security, the government has put in place plans for full-time on-site property management to oversee daily operations. Two resident property managers will be hired to handle maintenance, resident concerns, and operational coordination, with one of the 150 units converted into a dedicated administrative office for their work. To set clear expectations from day one, the administration is developing a formal orientation program that all new residents will complete before moving in, where they will review all community rules, the required behavioral standards for residents, and the penalties that accompany violations.
The strictest penalty is reserved for those involved in the illegal drug trade. As Browne emphasized, any renter found selling narcotics within the Pelican Court development will face immediate expulsion and removal from their unit. “We’re going to have strict rules,” the Prime Minister stated, adding that the regulations cover more than just criminal activity: routine property maintenance, proper garbage disposal, and other neighborhood standards are also codified in the new rulebook, with the long-term goal of preventing the complex from falling into disrepair after occupancy begins.
Landscaping and final beautification works are set to kick off imminently, with the government tasking the National Housing authority to develop design plans to enhance the development’s green spaces and curb appeal. The first cohort of residents to move into Pelican Court will be former homeowners who previously lived on the site, who will receive replacement units through a prearranged land swap agreement. The remaining available units will be primarily made available to eligible buyers through mortgage financing arrangements, expanding access to quality regulated housing across the country.