The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda welcomed Chief Environmental Officer Diann Black-Layne for in-depth discussions on the advancement of a national housing renewal initiative. The programme aims to:

• Replace derelict housing structures across Antigua and Barbuda,
• Scale up the delivery of affordable housing using modern construction materials and techniques,
• Secure donor financing and co-funding for large-scale implementation, and
• Strengthen inter-agency collaboration in housing and social development efforts.

Ms. Black-Layne outlined a strategic construction model that includes:

• The use of modular, prefabricated “chattel-style” homes, designed with Caribbean architectural aesthetics,
• Integration of fire-retardant, climate-resilient, and low-maintenance materials,
• Foundations constructed using the traditional concrete pile method,
• Establishment of a mobile production unit for onsite cutting and assembly of components, and
• A classification system for housing applicants:
• Category A: Clear land ownership and title,
• Category B/C: Unclear or communal ownership requiring relocation or policy reform.

The estimated cost per unit is $40,000 to $45,000 XCD, inclusive of materials, labour, and logistics. While labour costs remain manageable, steps will be taken to ensure material prices remain within budget. The government’s goal is to construct 1,000 homes annually over the next few years.

The Cabinet was informed that approximately $17 million XCD is currently available to commence rollout. The overall target is to raise $100 million XCD through grants, donor partnerships, and revolving credit mechanisms. One donor has already pledged $750,000 USD in technical assistance. The financing structure envisions co-investment, where the government covers construction materials and donors provide capacity-building support.

Additional logistical measures include:

• Scaling up block production,
• Expedited procurement of a new block plant,
• Bulk purchasing of materials, and
• Implementation of consignment supply chains to ensure timely delivery.

Cabinet Ministers emphasized the moral urgency and national importance of this programme—not only to improve the lives of citizens in vulnerable living conditions but also to enhance the aesthetic and infrastructural development of the nation. The initiative builds on the previously approved HAPPI framework, and Ministers reaffirmed their strong political and ethical commitment to accelerating this effort. There is consensus that housing transformation is a central pillar of the Gaston Browne Administration’s social policy agenda.

In the coming weeks, Ms. Black-Layne will:

• Submit the finalized programme document to Cabinet,
• Conduct follow-up discussions with UNDP and donor agencies to reassign or expedite funding support, and
• Begin preparatory work on modular construction pilot sites, starting within the Rastafarian community.

The government is also working to mobilize an additional $15–$25 million XCD through co-financing and donor contributions to ensure the programme’s rapid expansion and long-term success.