Real News – The United Progressive Party (UPP) is proposing a monthly income-subsidy for landlords with tenants who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
Harold Lovell, the Party’s Political Leader, is recommending that payments should be for a period of six months, and describes the proposal as a win-win situation.
Since the pandemic reached Antigua & Barbuda over a year ago, the Government has not provided any meaningful assistance to tenants or landlords, many of whom are unemployed or struggling financially to honour their obligations.
Initially, the Administration had made a request of landlords to be more accommodating during this difficult time. It acknowledged that it could not demand that landlords fore go their rents.
But Lovell says help is needed for both parties; and if the Government were to offer the subsidy, it would be beneficial to both sides.
The UPP Leader says it is mostly service-sector workers who are in need of this assistance, since, in some instances, both bread-winners have been placed on the unemployment line.
