Housing and Works Minister Maria Browne has pledged to expand rent-to-own housing options if her administration is returned to office, targeting residents who cannot meet the requirements for traditional bank financing. According to Antigua News Room, Browne outlined the initiative during a "Know Your Candidate" interview ahead of the April 30 general election.
Browne pointed to the planned Renaissance Park development in St. John's Rural East as a flagship project, describing it as a direct response to growing demand for more accessible pathways to home ownership.
The model is designed for individuals and families who can afford monthly payments but struggle to qualify for commercial mortgages. "Many single parents, many individuals, families cannot meet the requirements for the bank, but yet they can pay… a rental fee," Browne said, adding that the initiative is intended to bridge that gap.
The Renaissance Park project will feature a mix of townhouses and single-family homes offered under rent-to-own arrangements. Browne said the development is expected to be built on land currently occupied by the Clarevue facility, which is set to relocate. "We're going to have… townhouse style and also some single detached homes… and they're going to be rent-to-own," she said.
Construction is projected to take approximately two to two-and-a-half years once the site is cleared and preparatory work is completed.
Browne also signalled that the programme would not be limited to a single development. "We're going to have rent-to-own opportunities in various communities, not just Renaissance Park," she said, framing the broader strategy as part of a wider effort to increase home ownership across the country.
The minister linked housing access to long-term financial stability, presenting the initiative as a key component of economic empowerment for Antiguan residents.
