LETTER: Put all your homes on AirBnB and leave nothing for locals to rent

Dear Editor,

Please ensure that Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, sees this letter. Left up to him, all available rental properties in Antigua and Barbuda would be converted into short-term rentals for visitors.

What Gaston must understand is that one of the biggest challenges facing residents today is the availability of affordable homes for rent. Please place this at the top of your agenda, Mr. Prime Minister, as failure to address it may prove to be a hindrance to securing a fourth term in government. Yes, it is that serious.

Already, too many properties that should be available for long-term rentals for residents are now out of the rental pool. What is concerning is that at every opportunity, you continue to encourage residents to “invest” in Airbnb-type rentals. There is nothing inherently wrong with that call, but it is increasingly reckless. My view is that you do not fully understand the implications. This shift has led to a major shortage of rental homes, and as a result, prices have skyrocketed. The homes that are available are either in a dilapidated condition or simply out of the budget of renters.

For example, the cheapest home available for monthly rent on Airbnb works out to approximately US$1,200. Renters, based on the average income in Antigua, typically look for homes between EC$850 and EC$1,500 per month. Other homes may be rented to middle- to high-income earners for EC$3,000 to EC$6,000 monthly through realtors. Even then, availability, value for money, and cost remain major factors contributing to what is already a rental crisis in the country.

In the 2026 Budget, and in fact throughout 2025, no policy was mentioned by the Gaston Browne administration outlining how it plans to tackle this crisis. Disappointingly, no opposition MP raised the issue either. This suggests that they do not have their ears to the ground.

Much was said about housing, but nothing about rent. Every government knows that solving a housing problem requires a mix of homeownership and affordable rental options. My feeling is that the Gaston Browne government wants to build as many homes as possible to flood the housing market. This approach will not work. First, these homes take a long time—from bank approval to construction and completion. I personally know people who have been waiting three years for approved homes. Second, most people build homes to live in, not to rent. Third, homes that do enter the rental market typically end up as short-term rentals.

We need short-, medium-, and long-term rental solutions.

Gaston wants residents to profit from short-term rentals, and there is nothing wrong with encouraging people to increase their wealth. However, while he may be solving a problem on one hand, he is creating—or worsening—a crisis on the other. The government must act now.

Internationally, citizens in Mexico, Colombia, Barcelona, and New York know all too well the negative impact short-term rentals have had on rent prices. Residents in these places have protested and demanded action, forcing governments to regulate the short-term rental market. In some cities, no new short-term rentals are being approved. Others have mandated that a certain percentage of properties must be reserved for long-term rentals.

Here, we are moving in the opposite direction. A quick search of ANR’s website brings up no fewer than ten news articles in the past year in which the Prime Minister encourages residents to invest in short-term rentals. He has never once mentioned local rent prices.

Perhaps what Antigua needs, particularly in St. John’s City, is a series of high-rise buildings offering long-term rental units for residents. This would require a public-private partnership. Legislation must also be enforced to address rent control and affordability.

Take note—this will be one of the major concerns for residents in 2026.

This letter was written by a supporter of Gaston Browne not the ABLP. I am also open to voting/supporting the UPP when they find proper leadership.

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