Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government may have to recruit additional construction workers from overseas if it is to meet its ambitious housing targets and address growing demand for homes across Antigua and Barbuda.
Speaking on his weekly radio programme, Browne said labour shortages have become one of the biggest obstacles facing the government’s housing programme, despite ongoing efforts to expand construction.
“What we’re trying to do is to scale up to about 500 homes a year,” Browne said. “We just don’t have enough workers.”
The Prime Minister explained that while financing remains a challenge, the shortage of skilled and unskilled labour is also limiting the pace at which new homes can be built.
As a result, Browne said the government is exploring ways to increase the available workforce, including the possibility of bringing in workers from overseas to supplement local labour.
The comments came as he outlined plans to significantly expand the country’s housing stock over the next decade.
According to Browne, the administration’s goal is to build at least 5,000 homes within 10 years, a target he said could improve living conditions for thousands of people.
“In the next 10 years, we must deliver no less than 5,000 homes to the people,” he said.
Browne estimated that achieving that objective could benefit as many as 15,000 people.
“If you provide 5,000 homes, on average about three persons per home, we are literally transitioning about 15,000 people into middle-income housing,” he said.
The Prime Minister also revealed that demand for housing remains exceptionally high, with approximately 7,500 applications currently on file.
“We have about 7,500 applications,” Browne said, noting that demand continues to grow even as new units are completed and allocated.
The government is simultaneously seeking additional financing to support the expansion of the housing programme. Browne disclosed that discussions are underway regarding a proposed $100 million housing bond, which he said could help increase annual construction to between 300 and 400 homes before eventually reaching the 500-home target.
The National Housing Development and Urban Renewal Company has also been tasked with increasing recruitment as part of the government’s effort to accelerate construction.
Browne said the combination of additional financing and a larger workforce will be essential if the government is to keep pace with housing demand and achieve its long-term goal of expanding home ownership opportunities across the country.