LISTEN: PM Browne Says Some Homes In China-Funded Projects in Bolans and Barbuda Will Be Offered Under Rent-to-Own Programme

Some of the homes being built under Antigua and Barbuda’s latest China-funded housing programme could be made available through a rent-to-own initiative aimed at helping more residents become homeowners, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Saturday.

Browne said the government is considering setting aside a number of the new houses as rental properties with an option for tenants to eventually purchase them, responding to growing demand for affordable housing.

“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 announcement came as Browne thanked the People’s Republic of China for its continued investment in Antigua and Barbuda’s housing sector, saying the partnership has played a major role in reducing poverty and expanding access to home ownership.

“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.”

The prime minister said China has financed about 250 homes for Antigua and Barbuda through two phases of the programme. He said 150 homes have already been completed or are nearing completion, while another 100 homes will be built under a new US$20 million grant agreement signed this week.

According to Browne, the latest phase will provide 50 homes in Bolans and 50 in Barbuda. The houses will be single-storey, climate-resilient structures with two and three bedrooms built on lots of up to three hectares.

Browne estimated that China’s total investment in the housing programme amounts to about US$50 million, or approximately EC$135 million.

“China alone would have contributed about 250 homes… at a cost of about US$50 million,” he said, adding that the programme is designed to assist “the most vulnerable, some of the poorest people among us.”

The prime minister praised China for what he described as its philosophy of “shared prosperity,” saying the country has supported development projects in Antigua and Barbuda and other nations aimed at improving living standards.

He also called for stronger cooperation between China and the United States, describing both countries as critical partners for Antigua and Barbuda. Browne said the United States remains the country’s largest tourism market and trading partner, while China continues to make significant investments in infrastructure and housing.

“We would want to see greater cooperation between China and the United States, our two most important partners,” Browne said.

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