A single mother working in Antigua and Barbuda’s Public Works Department has issued a desperate public appeal for urgent help, as she and her two young children are on the brink of losing their home by November.
For years, the family has lived in a rented property, but the structure is scheduled for demolition to make way for major renovation works. This timeline leaves the mother just a few short months to find safe, affordable alternative housing for her family – a goal that has rapidly slipped out of reach due to crippling financial constraints.
Every month, the mother says her income is entirely consumed by covering basic necessities for her children: nutritious food, school supplies, and other back-to-school costs that leave no room to set aside savings for a new rental deposit or down payment on a modest home. Compounding her struggles, she has been locked out of access to emergency small loans, as she has not been able to secure an official employment verification letter from her government employer to complete the application process.
Further isolating the family, the children’s father has relocated outside of Antigua and Barbuda and has consistently refused to provide any court-ordered or voluntary child support payments to help cover household costs. Both the mother’s own extended family and the father’s relatives have confirmed they do not have the financial means to step in and help the family avoid homelessness.
In an emotional interview, the mother made clear that she will not accept separating from her children to solve the housing crisis. “I just can’t see my children homeless, and I’m not giving my children away either,” she stated. “I just need some assistance as soon as possible.”
Community members or organizations able to offer support can reach the mother directly at contact number 719-8671.