Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that some homes being constructed under Antigua and Barbuda's latest China-funded housing programme may be made available through a rent-to-own initiative, offering more residents a pathway to homeownership.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the announcement on Saturday, stating that the government is considering designating a portion of the new units as rental properties with an option for tenants to eventually purchase them — a response to growing demand for affordable housing across the twin-island nation.
"These are single dwelling properties, two- and three-bedroom concrete climate-resilient properties. I'm hoping that a few of them we can utilise as rental and options to make sure that we satisfy that demand. More and more people are asking for rental homes," Browne said.
The prime minister used the occasion to thank the People's Republic of China for its continued investment in the country's housing sector, crediting the bilateral partnership with reducing poverty and expanding access to homeownership.
"Again, we want to thank the People's Republic of China for helping us to build capacity in such a critical area," Browne said. "You can't have a lifestyle superpower and have anybody living in abject poverty. We're trying to eliminate those pockets of abject poverty, and we're making significant progress."
Browne said China has financed approximately 250 homes through two phases of the programme. Of those, 150 have been completed or are nearing completion. An additional 100 homes will be built under a new US$20 million grant agreement signed this week — 50 in Bolans and 50 in Barbuda. The units will be single-storey, climate-resilient structures with two and three bedrooms, situated on lots of up to three hectares.
The prime minister estimated China's total investment in the housing programme at approximately US$50 million, equivalent to roughly EC$135 million, describing the beneficiaries as "the most vulnerable, some of the poorest people among us."
Browne praised China for what he characterised as a philosophy of "shared prosperity," noting the country's support for development projects in Antigua and Barbuda and other nations aimed at raising living standards.
He also called for deeper cooperation between China and the United States, identifying both as critical partners. Browne noted that the United States remains Antigua and Barbuda's largest tourism market and trading partner, while China continues to make significant investments in local infrastructure and housing.
"We would want to see greater cooperation between China and the United States, our two most important partners," Browne said.
