Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government is targeting January 2027 for residents to move into the Booby Alley housing development, as preparations continue on legal arrangements, landscaping and rules governing the new community.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne said the 150-unit development will be named Pelican Court, marking a new chapter for the Point community and residents displaced by the redevelopment.
The EC$50 million project, funded through a grant from the People’s Republic of China, replaces dilapidated wooden dwellings with two-bedroom, condominium-style homes across nine buildings. It is intended to rehouse more than 300 former residents.
The redevelopment has been eight years in the making, with its progress affected by disputes, legal challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the project has been scheduled for handover on October 30, ahead of Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th anniversary of independence, Browne’s January target relates to residents taking up occupancy.
Addressing eligibility, the Prime Minister clarified that children of former homeowners would not automatically receive separate properties free of charge simply because they had lived in their parents’ homes.
Where a parent owned a property, that owner would be entitled to a replacement, he explained. Other family members seeking independent accommodation could potentially purchase or rent available units.
Browne said the government would determine the allocation of homes and establish rules to protect the development and maintain standards within the community. He warned that tenants involved in activities such as selling narcotics could face eviction.
Preparations also include consideration of a larger backup water supply, guidance on waste disposal and arrangements to help residents purchase replacement furniture on credit.
The Prime Minister said the objective was to improve residents’ living conditions while ensuring that the buildings and surrounding spaces are properly maintained.
He also outlined plans for further improvements towards Fort James, including landscaping, lighting and security cameras.
