Pelican Court housing project targets January 2027 occupancy

The government of Antigua and Barbuda is finalizing arrangements for the occupancy of Pelican Court, a 150-unit climate-resilient housing development intended to replace the former Booby Alley community. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has indicated that residential occupancy is targeted for January 2027 to allow for the completion of legal, administrative, and infrastructure requirements.

The EC$50 million project, funded by a grant from the People's Republic of China, aims to improve living conditions for over 300 former residents. Cabinet is currently discussing how to allocate units and compensate former property owners. One proposed model allows individuals who previously owned homes in Booby Alley to receive priority consideration, with the assessed value of their former properties credited toward the purchase of a new condominium.

Indicative selling prices for the units are being considered between EC$150,000 and EC$175,000. For homeowners, the government is exploring mortgage arrangements to cover the balance between their previous property value and the new purchase price. Additionally, the government is examining the possibility of providing cash compensation to former property owners who did not reside in the community.