Penn Doubles Down on Land Claims
Community activist Kishma Penn has reaffirmed her controversial stance on local real estate, arguing that systemic barriers leave BVIslanders economically disadvantaged. Clarifying her comments following public backlash, Penn stressed that both inflated local prices and foreign transactions contribute to the problem. She continues to call for government policy to safeguard land ownership for Virgin Islanders.
Community activist Kishma Penn has doubled down on her controversial claims regarding real estate dynamics in the Virgin Islands, asserting that systemic economic imbalances continue to leave BVIslanders at a serious disadvantage in their own homeland. Her remarks follow extensive public debate and criticism after she initially argued that expatriates in the real estate sector have contributed to soaring property prices that effectively price locals out of the market.
Addressing the backlash during a live broadcast, Penn acknowledged the strong reactions to her previous statements but firmly refused to retreat from her position. Instead, she sought to clarify her broader argument, stating that the issue stems from both local landowners demanding exorbitant prices and real estate professionals facilitating lucrative sales to foreign buyers.
Penn emphasised that the severe financial disparity between local residents and overseas purchasers makes it exceptionally difficult for Virgin Islanders to compete in the housing market. She pointed out that many locals face significant hurdles when attempting to access commercial financing, operate with limited capital assets, and possess lower overall purchasing power.
These systemic barriers, she argued, prevent BVIslanders from acquiring land and establishing generational wealth in their own country. In response to accusations that her rhetoric fosters racial division, Penn rejected the claims and maintained that her critique is focused strictly on economic justice and systemic fairness.
She stated that acknowledging disparities does not equate to prejudice, explaining that her goal is to challenge an economic framework that disproportionately benefits outsiders while leaving native citizens behind. Penn further asserted that BVIslanders should not be discouraged from demanding policies that prioritise their interests, arguing that citizens of other nations enjoy similar domestic advantages.
She closed by calling on the government to step in with robust legislative and policy protections to safeguard local land ownership and prevent the territory's limited real estate from slipping entirely into foreign hands.
Primary source: BVI News