Derelict Building/ Photo by George Wehner

**Antigua and Barbuda Government Considering Compulsory Acquisition of Derelict Properties in St. John’s**

The government of Antigua and Barbuda is considering legislation that would allow it to compulsorily acquire abandoned and derelict properties in parts of the capital as part of a broader effort to redevelop St. John’s and expand access to housing.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the proposal could target hundreds of neglected buildings, particularly in urban communities such as Point, Villa and Fort Road, where abandoned structures have become a growing concern.

Browne said officials have identified roughly 500 derelict properties that pose health, safety and security risks, including fire hazards and spaces that can be used for criminal activity.

Under the proposal, the government would seek authority through Parliament to compulsorily acquire properties deemed unsafe or abandoned while compensating owners at market value.

“If, for example, you have a derelict property and the land itself is valued at five or ten dollars a square foot, we will offer the market value,” Browne said during his weekly appearance on Pointe FM.

He said the government would then resell the land or facilitate the construction of new homes for individuals who do not currently own property, with the aim of increasing homeownership in Antigua and Barbuda.

The government may also offer property owners the option of exchanging their urban land for larger parcels in rural areas if they wish to retain ownership but are unable to maintain property in the capital.

Browne said the initiative is intended to accelerate the renewal of aging neighbourhoods while addressing housing needs in Antigua and Barbuda.

“We want to have a situation in which we can purchase these properties and sell them to Antiguans who are in need of a home,” he said.

The proposal is still under consideration and would require parliamentary approval before compulsory acquisition powers could be implemented.