Government to build homes instead of just selling land under new housing approach
Many Antiguans have been able to buy land through government programmes but have then struggled to take the next step — building a home. The government says it wants to change that.
During the Budget Debate, Housing Minister Maria Browne announced a shift in the focus of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHAPA), moving away from a model that mainly sold land to one that places greater emphasis on constructing houses.
The change is aimed at addressing a common problem faced by working families: owning a plot of land but lacking the financial means to build on it.
Rising construction costs, limited access to financing and high interest rates have left many parcels undeveloped, despite years of land distribution.
The minister said CHAPA has recognised that land ownership alone does not solve the housing challenge for many citizens.
While land sales helped people secure property, the absence of affordable building options meant that ownership did not always translate into a roof over a family’s head.
Under the new approach, CHAPA will focus more on delivering completed homes, particularly for people who do not qualify for the government’s most subsidised housing programmes but also cannot afford private construction.
The shift reflects a broader attempt to close the gap between land ownership and home ownership, especially for renters who want long-term stability but face barriers in the private housing market.
Government officials say the new direction is intended to ensure that housing programmes respond more directly to people’s lived realities — not just the ability to purchase land, but the ability to live in a finished home.
The move is expected to form part of a wider housing strategy for 2026, alongside new low-cost home models and expanded construction activity across several communities.
