White expats pricing locals out of real estate — Kishma Penn
Outspoken community activist Kishma Penn has accused white expatriates in the real estate industry of helping to drive land and housing prices beyond the reach of ordinary BVIslanders, while blasting the government for failing to protect locals.
Penn delivered the criticism during a recent Facebook Live, as several community voices become increasingly vocal on social media with another election drawing closer.
“All these white expatriates who running all these real estate companies, they’re pricing the rent and the land out of the hands of the locals,” Penn charged.
She argued that the government, rather than expatriates alone, should ultimately answer for the situation. “What is your government doing to look out for its people and fix it?” she questioned.
Penn suggested legislation requiring large land developments to reserve a percentage for BVIslanders. She proposed that when five acres or more are being subdivided, between 20 and 25 percent could be reserved for locals at below-market prices.
“We can’t buy the land because they price all the pretty land them out of our hands,” she said.
Xenophobia aimed at wrong expats
Penn also took aim at what she described as xenophobia against black expatriates, arguing that many BVIslanders are directing their anger at the wrong group. She said resentment is often aimed at expatriates of colour working alongside locals in construction and corporate offices, particularly when those workers eventually gain status, save money and build homes.
But she said the community is ignoring white expatriates who, she argued, are using the real estate market to their advantage by driving up property costs, making land less affordable for BVIslanders.
Penn argued: “You’re watching the wrong set of people as per usual. Who ayo got words for? The negro who is working alongside you, laying blocks alongside you, the negro man who inside the same corporate office as you. That’s who you got words for. But I’m anti-expat too. I don’t like the white ones who think they own our place. The white ones who understand that they don’t own our place and come to make it better, I’m cool with them. But the ones who act like they own our place and like to show that they have belonger status and rights and can vote, I can’t stand them!”
The former civil servant also unleashed on residents for remaining silent while problems persist.
“Get out of your houses and learn to march and protest, and sign the petitions when they are going around. This is your country,” she urged.
Her broader challenge to BVIslanders was pointed: what tangible advantages does citizenship currently provide locals over expatriates, particularly when it comes to accessing land and economic opportunities?
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We own the land here. Why are we selling it?
Some persons only care about the greenback.
Krishna Penn you are a racist.
The woman is a racist!
If you had a half decent education you would understand that everyone is racist. You should be proud of your race except the WHITES, they have nothing to be proud of from their forefathers. What you would like to call Kishma is BIGOTED.
The solution is very simple. CEASE AND DESIST FROM GIVING OUT BELONGER STATUS. You can only own land if you are a belonger. The only other way is to obtain a non belonger land holding license (NBLHL). In that case such license should only be for a lease. Hold the land for 80 years and no more.
The country is too small to be giving out anymore status. At least, my God, put a moratorium for a few years then after that only give a certain amount per year..
What will it take to put sense in these guys head?
And if we sell way shouldn’t we sell for as much as we cangef…the demogrHjc that has degraded these VI and our schools with crime and their drug and gun selling murdering pickney should be the least considered when it is land sake,,they have been a curse and a social humbug much like their God forsaken countries. These VI became successes
with the investments of Caucasians and became ciminal habitats with never enough prison space and schools that are subpar because of the Black imports fromthe upper Xaribbean islands.,,why should BVISLANDERS take bottom prices for our land from them. They are frankly a curse to our lands much as they are to their own.
And if and when we sell for whatever reason,we should sell for toptopdollar..and to those who can afford and evidence that the land won’t be readily turned into a slum by the new owners is a bonus worth seeking.
Land ripe for development, what will you bid!
Seventy years ago, my ex-wife’s grandfather sold his best land at Greenbank for $17.14 an acre and he thought he’d done well on the deal. At today’s price, an acre of prime land at that location would fetch over $500.000. But the deal would be no better. His descendants may fly to the moon, but if they cannot inherit the land they will be that much impoverished.
So blacks are poor and whites are rich. Is that the argument because that is a sad thought.
To suggest blacks cannot afford rent. There are apartments of all different prices on the island that are suitable for all budget types. If one is not affordable, then another one will be. If there is a housing problem, the obligation is on the government to house people, not on the private sector.
Rent prices have gone up everywhere. In some countries, they need to see your bank statements, your employment history, your credit history, criminal records and more before you are able to step a foot in the door. Many do not pass that process and it is not just a “blacks” matter. In other countries, all are capable of being landlords and land owners (whether black or not) because they are sensible and responsible about their money.
We should not put one’s irresponsibility when it comes to money management and lack of earning power on another’s desire to make a living based on the value of their hard earned investment, then add a colour to it. It is not right.
We need to take responsibility for selling out our Territory. We are the ones who sold them what they have and it is our politicians that sold whole islands for nothing. We need to do more than marching and protesting, we need to strengthen our constitution with laws that protect our borders and our people without regret. We need to stop being sellouts!!!
Stop putting your head in the sand and talking nonsense. It’s an organized game played on locals.
The insurance companies and the banks are all lying down in bed together. They are squeezing and buying everything. To survive, we have to sell.
For they know who is in their corner.
you know this is 2026, white and expat are not the same thing? Or is it fine for a US person to arrive and buy up land so long as he is black. How long do you need to live on island before you belong? And if you leave island are you allowed to return or do you give up your ‘belonger’ status? Human rights not apply in the BVI?
You full well know it’s not white belongers we are speaking of. Especially those who can trace their roots back here from the 50’s,60’s or earlier.
These comments are insanely racist. So a black American or British ex-pat should not be allowed to buy a home in the BVI without giving up 20-25% of their land, in addition to the 12% purchase tax? Why are these people being given press coverage to preach this kind of hate and bigotry?
Its not hate and bigotry. Its about protecting resources for YOUR people.
Yes it it. I quote her words: “But I’m anti-expat too. I don’t like the white ones who think they own our place”
She is rac**t sc**. How would you, or her, feel if this was said about black people that had settled in the UK???
I will not read further than the headline. this is something I have been saying as an expatriate over 25 yrs ago.bvi landers need to least their lands .if you want to live in a very low crime country you would least.stop selling your lands.the land is what bvi landers own nothing else . kishma you are so correct and yes the white expatriate have access to more money than blacks this is a known fact all over the world..
Sorry, when is xenophobia aimed at the “right” expats? Is she suggesting racism is ok as long as it’s aimed at white people? Both black people and white people do good and bad things in this country. No one race is better than another.
Moon and Sun
Did this VOCAL COMMENTATOR realize that it is her BLACK BROTHERS & SISTERS who are SELLING the LAND & PROPERTIES?
STOP BEING IGNORANT…
SOMEONE IS MAKING MONEY HERE. CHECK WHO IS REALLY BUYING UP ALL THE BUSINESSES AND LAND AND YOU WILL SEE MONEY LAUNDERING AND DRUG TRADE..
That jamaican Beverly trying to steal family land
Who is approving the articles that make it in the news?
To make a statement that ‘whites’ are coming in and buying up all the land and people are being ‘forced to sell land’ makes no sense. So does this mean black= poor, white= rich?
It’s a disgustingly racist remark.
People with money are buying land. Period.
Many of whom are black individuals.
There’s a lot of ‘black persons’ who are simply selling their land because the current kickback is attractive.
It’s not on the ‘whites’ or ‘expats’ if individuals who own land, cannot see the value of their land and wish to sell to collect fast cash.
Stop blaming stupid decision making on others.
Take this article down. You’re embarrassing yourself.
You all does try to put a spin on everything when your intentions and methodology are revealed or called out. You all think we’re stupid.
Firstly ,why are the white are realtor here? 2 why are the Bvislanders selling off all their lands? 3 who front these real estate companies ? They make it so hard for the locals to own or get anything here.Put a stop to it and say no.
What ever happened to the crown land program? To purchase land in the BVI is insane. The politicians took the crown land and distributed it to their own now the hillside waterfront views are the ones our hands can touch but are being sold to the white expats (investors).
The one that have the alien residents thing are buying property and when they gone back home they have the property renting for overseas people who coming for vacation. They have alien land title but still making a profit out of it. It’s been going on for a long time the real estates agents knows this so I’m sure the government knows too but the Caucasian have the power you see them Caucasian managers hmm they coming here on a contract but the bvi bigger ones are threatening them like God and we who are here to staying years and paying taxes are the ones the higher ones are targeting
its more complex than that those outside investors are also suppressing land and existing home value until they control majority. We’re unable to get the same financing opportunities as they are even when we have the salary and net worth (excluding land and property) and have to use the underlying asset as collateral.
Every mortgage uses the real property as collateral. Any other financing would be a personal loan or use other assets as collateral. Locals are not at a disadvantage unless they have poor credit history.
IT goes even further than that.
They can GET land holding Licenses but the black expatriate waits years if they ever get it at all.
Needless to say that the property will be sold by the time there is approval.
Stop complaining. The B.V.I as we know it is already gone and it’s not coming back. We have no one to blame but ourselves. We can’t blame the white man for this; it’s time to take some accountability. We failed our youth and left them a wasteland for an inheritance.
What is this claim based off? Do we have stats? I’m not even going to go in to asking what why skin colour is being thrown around here
What racist nonsense! Almost all the real estate in the BVI that is rented out is owned by locals.
Something wrong with that person…in any civilized society, since when is any form of xenophobia violence ok towards anyone…? Barbarian!!
Kishma.I agreed with you 100%.
I know exactly what you’re talking about.It have some right here VG,But we can’t blame them.Its our own people made some terrible mistakes & we are paying for it now.
Some of us are so stupid. If we are not selling no one can buy. Blame the folk that are selling out, not the ones that are buying. Moreover, many people prefer to sell to whites because they believe they can fetch a higher price for their properties. I cannot blame them for their decisions; however, we have to look at the long term consequences. It is true that whites have easier access to capital and can therefore buy more. Notwithstanding that, we have to be wise and think about the future of our children. When we “sell out,” we cannot blame the buyers. Let us stop blaming others for the problems we create for ourselves. Why should the government intervene? It is not government’s property that is being sold. Are we suggesting that government should buy up the land and resell a portion of it below market value? What a crazy proposition. Our sense of entitlement has gone way too far. Go to Youtube and heck out a song by the Mighty Arrow of Montserrat called “Hold On To Your Property” It has a lesson for all of us and it was written way back in the seventies.
No one is holding a gun to your head forcing you to sell your land , if you want to sell go ahead if you don’t want to sell then don’t.
Simple.
The Virgin Islands is becoming gentrified… plain and simple. The evidence is there to be seen. Look at ANY real estate listed for sale and it is obvious who the target audience is. Look at the “affordable “ homes for first time land/home owners. If the GVMT is selling affordable property at prices locals can’t afford, we are screwed!! First off, they are hideous! The people they were built for can’t afford them and the people who can afford them won’t buy them. Virgin Islanders who own property have the power to sell to whoever they choose at whatever price they choose. WE do ourselves a disservice if we sell our property to the highest bidder.
The government “SHOULD” have a regulatory responsibility to make sure that property stays within the realm of affordability. What does that mean? Having a median guideline so there is some kind of balance so a 1/4 acre of land isn’t 150k. It’s all a viscous cycle. The cost of buying land and constructing a home forces home owners to set their rental properties at prices necessary for paying their insurance premiums and mortgages. Gone are the days when homes can be built out of pocket unless the homeowner IS the builder. We are in so much trouble.
When makisn racist statements Bring solid facts to back up claims. Land for sale .. people buy black or white. End story
Locals set the price for their lands, most times they are advertise through an agency, every one has equal opportunity, Locals, especially the young ones with money rather be flashing 60 gran cars and 20 grand Gold…Whites sees owning land as a priority and worth it investment, why can’t locals get that same mindset. They are selling lands that parents and grand parents left for them..
What is the government doing about RENTAL PROPERTIES endless “ISLAND PEOPLE ” is looking AFFORDABLE single bedroom apartments to rent , the same ISLAND PEOPLE are being taken advantage of USING XENOPHOBIC MENTALITY ON THEM BY THESE GREEDY LANDLORDS WHO ARE AFTER EVERY CENT THAT THE ISLAND PEOPLE WORK HONESTLY FOR AND IF THEY CAN’T GET IT ONE WAY THEY USE OTHER MEANS , AND THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY AWARE THAT THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO HAS BEEN RIPPING OFF THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR YEARS AND THE SAME GOVERNMENT TOO , BY DEDUCTING TAXES FROM THEIR EMPLOYEES AND NOT PAYING IT INTO THE GOVERNMENT , BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS ALLOWING IT BY LOOKING THE OTHER WAY / VINNIE WAS WATCHING HOW ” DEM ISLAND PEOPLE ” WHO WORKING HARD AND HONESTLY TO MAKE AN HONEST LIVING , TO SEE WHAT AND HOW THEY SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY AND TOLD ANDY THEY SENDING ALL THE MONEY OUT THE COUNTRY AND BOTH CAME UP WITH A DIRTY MINDED PLAN TO USE ( MONEY GRAM ) TO DOUBLE TAX THOSE SAME PEOPLE WHO THEY ALLOWED TO BE EXPLOITED WITH THE TAX RODEO GAMES AND ANDY HAD THE HEART TO BRAG HOW HE GOT 2 MILLION OFF AH “DEM ISLAND PEOPLE ” WHILE GOING DOWN ON HIS KNEES PLAYING HOLY ? BUT (KARMA ) IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER , ANT THE REST IS HISTORY /ITS TIME ENOUGH FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT AND START DOING THE RIGHT THING IN THE BEST INTEREST OF EVERYONE WHO IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE COUNTRY IN A POSITIVE WAY / LIVE AND LET LIVE ( PLEASE CONTROL THESE PREDATORS CALL ” LANDLORDS ” THEY ARE WORSE THAN ” JAWS ” THEY ARE FULL OF XENOPHOBIA AND SEEMS TO FORGET WE AIN’T TAKING ANYTHING DOWNSTAIRS WHEN WE GOING / AND ” WE ALL ” BE GOING TO THE BONE SOONER OR LATER ( RIP ■■■ WE CAME WITH 2 EMPTY HANDS AND WE WILL LEAVE WITH TWO EMPTY HANDS ~ •¿• . LETS TRY PEACE AND LOVE . THROW XENOPHOBIA, GREED & HYPOCRISY IN THE GABBABE .
If the cost of living is too high in the Vi or any where else,why leave your home to live criticize where you are not wsnted but tolerated just stay home
..make sense…people with property and goods for sale are looking for as large a profit..BVIslanders selling land for bottom cheap would be ungrateful,senseless and unappreciative to their ancestors and I inconsiderate of their descendants. We chupid but lawd not to that extent. We know our worth.
All you all blabbing about white people putting price of land out the reach of locals and in the end we don’t own a dam thing. When you stop breathing take house land and property with you and show it to the devil or God.
Firstly
1. A citizen of a country is a citzen
2. The BVI government made two different classes to ensure that ONLY
People with deep generational roots can control
The political and economic future of the BVI
That is why they used to marry into theor family
Let us see how much longer this is sustainable as you might be able to count on your finger the deep roots
People ste marrying and giving in marriage
Let us see what happens 10 years from now how the deep roots remain
a)
@jumbie Jack…you are talking froth, pure F
Dhould be that with NBLHL, non belongers can only buy to lease that land. Freehold title shoulf not be available to non belongers. Simple. As for rents, its the same everywhere, low cost housing hard to come by worldwide