AG Rhea Marks Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Across the Territory

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AG Rhea Marks Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Across the Territory
Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea joined communities nationwide in recognizing National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, observed Friday, Jan. 9, the V.I. Justice Department announced in a press release. The annual observance honors law enforcement professionals serving at the local, territorial and federal levels, including police officers, peace officers, investigators, detectives, forensic technicians and criminal prosecutors throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the press release. National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was established in 2015 following a period of heightened national scrutiny of law enforcement. Police organizations created the observance to encourage public recognition of officers who serve honorably and in the interest of public safety, the press release stated. “These professionals are our front-line protectors working under unpredictable and often dangerous conditions to safeguard our communities and uphold the rule of law,” Rhea said in the release. “They have answered the call to public service, and for that, we say thank you.” Rhea encouraged residents to show appreciation through simple gestures, including wearing blue, sending a card or letter to local law enforcement agencies, sharing positive experiences on social media, changing profile colors to blue, or displaying a blue ribbon. “Most importantly,” Rhea said, “we can show our support by simply saying, thank you.”

St. Croix Man Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges After Reported Assault

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St. Croix Man Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges After Reported Assault
A St. Croix man was arrested Wednesday on domestic violence charges following a reported assault on a female acquaintance, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported. At about 12:39 a.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call from a female victim who reported she had been assaulted by Clemente Cintron III and other members of his family, according to the police report. Police said their investigation determined that Cintron III assaulted the victim, causing visible injuries. On Wednesday, officers with the Criminal Investigation Bureau made contact with the 30-year-old suspect and transported him to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he was advised of his Miranda rights and placed under arrest. Cintron III was charged with simple assault and battery, disturbance of the peace by fighting, and destruction to property, all acts of domestic violence, according to police. He was booked and transported to the John A. Bell Correctional Facility pending an advice of rights hearing, the police report stated.

Community Foundation Joins “By the People: Conversations Beyond 250” Initiative

Mat Probasco
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Community Foundation Joins “By the People: Conversations Beyond 250” Initiative
As the Humanities Council of the Virgin Islands, Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) will participate in By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation’s cultural life and imagine its shared future. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (the Center), which also produces the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.
Child Mocko Jumbies in the 20023 St. Thomas Carnival parade. (Submitted photo)
As part of its participation in By the People, CFVI will host “Voices of the USVI: Dialogue and Discovery,” a two-day conference designed to bring together humanities organizations, culture bearers, artists, and community leaders from across the Virgin Islands. Taking place at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas on March 19 and 20, 2026, the conference will feature a public keynote open to the community, networking opportunities, and a youth-elder dialogue circle, designed to foster intergenerational exchange and perspectives. Additional sessions for invited participants will feature a dance/movement lab with traditional dancers, an agriculture roundtable and an interactive workshop where participants collaborate on and discuss festival designs. CFVI supports humanities programming through grantmaking, community engagement, advocacy, and capacity-building efforts that strengthen social cohesion and deepen a shared sense of belonging across the territory. “Through our participation in By the People, we’re creating space for community leaders to network, collaborate, and generate new ideas,” said Dee Baecher-Brown, president of CFVI. “These conversations will not only celebrate the vibrant culture and humanities programming here in the USVI, but also elevate all Virgin Islands voices – from across generations – in thinking about how we can protect the future of these essential programs.” All U.S. humanities councils were invited to take part in By the People, and fifty-one councils—including those from the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories—will participate in local programs designed to foster intergenerational dialogue and highlight culture bearers. These include musicians, artists, performers, poets, craftspeople, workers, cooks, storytellers, and others who will explore the following themes: remembering together, harmonizing together, moving together, and building together. “This partnership amplifies the voices from communities nationwide and the cultural practices that define them,” says Phoebe Stein, the Federation’s president. “It’s a celebration of the humanities as a living, breathing force in our country—one that has brought people together to listen, learn, and create since the nation’s earliest days.” Through this initiative, CFVI reaffirms its commitment to uplifting the voices, traditions, and stories that make the Virgin Islands unique — ensuring they are not only preserved, but actively shared and celebrated as part of the nation’s cultural fabric. For more information on CFVI and its work in the humanities, including with the Humanities Council of the Virgin Islands, visit, www.cfvi.net/HCVI. Learn more about the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage’s website at www.statehumanities.org/bythepeople.

Jaime Nichole John Dies

Mat Probasco
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Jaime Nichole John Dies
Jaime Nichole John transitioned into eternal life on Dec. 20, 2025.  
Jaime Nichole John
She was preceded in death by, Lillian Revan (Grandmother), John Revan (Grandfather), Eleanor Bethel (Grandmother), Lennard Bethel Sr. (Grandfather), Jediah Lockhart (Brother), Jediah Lockhart Jr. (Nephew), James Terry Revan (Uncle), William Hunt (Uncle), Eugene Bethel (Uncle), Lennard Bethel Jr. (Uncle), Roland Bethel (Uncle), David Francis (Cousin), James Nelson (Cousin),Gean Bethel (Cousin), Eugene Bethel Jr. (Cousin), Winston Lewis (Cousin). She is survived by her husband, Kevin John; Mother, Janita Bethel; Father, James Bethel; Daughters, Aubrie John, Hazel John; Step-Daughter, Sarai John; Mother-in-law, Alma John; Father-in-law, Mervin John; Sisters, Judith Revan, Jenisa Sweeney-Laforce, Jillian Bethel, Kathleen Bethel, Alexandria Bethel; Brother, Josiah Bethel; Sisters-in-law, Laneze Suffren, Tracy Bell, Vernette Mathurin; Nieces, Aalayah Davis, Jahzara LaFond, Jahzelle Lafond, Shamyah Ponce, Ja’layah Lockhart, Jaelah Lockhart, Jerissa Lockhart, Antoniqua Bethel, Serenity Ventura, Mazikeen Robinson; Nephews, Jaid Greene, Alaire Davis, Jahzaii LaFond, Jahmir Lockhart, Jairus Barry, Jayden Lockhart, Jamal Martial, Jaheem Yarwood; Aunts, Winona Revan-Nelson, Marylee Revan-Durand, Leona Revan, Veronica Revan, Beverly Revan-Joseph, Janice Revan, Amble Maxwell,  Sheila Brazzier; Uncles:  Joseph Mac Arthur Brown, John Revan Jr., Antonio Revan, Reuben Daniel, Kenny Bethel; Cousins, Elvis Revan, Kevin Henry, Patrick Revan, Glenroy Daniel, Blondell Revan, Anita Revan, Earl Francis, Diana Francis, Mahalia Revan, Curtis Revan, Denise Revan, Kenyata Simmonds, Quansah Simmonds, Nyaka Simmonds, Jahroushe Revan, Hesketh Revan, Dion Joseph, Andrew Joseph Jr., Johnny Joseph, Joanna Joseph-St.Rose, Joyce Joseph, Kertis Nelson, Katrice Nelson, Sonia Lenhardt, Michael Revan, Malcolm Rawlins, Christina Rawlins, Ilajah Rawlins, Anthony Revan, Desiree Revan, Akiel Revan, Omar Revan, Chaundel Revan, Shaniqua Revan, Niketa Revan, Kimiko Taylor, Keyeara Revan, Krystle Revan, Kenny Smith, Sherise Allen-Waters, Grace Allen-Perkins, Aleakeem Petersen, Elizabeth Nelson, Joan Nelson, Kerry Hunt, William Hunt Jr., Carla Hunt, Tarshish Maxwell, Kizzer Maxwell, Mckeen Bethel, Kendel Bethel, Keston Bethel, Darelene Bethel, Kervaugn Bethel, Pixiann Daniel, Dawn Daniel, Kaream Daniel, Ederson Daniel, Gena Bethel, Dana Bethel, Orpha Bethel, Tigana Lewis, Lennard Lewis, Annilleo Brazzier, Tamlin Bethel, Theo Bethel, Keno Bethel, Tiana Bethel, Khadi Bethel Special Friends & Family, Krystl Hantz, Ashlee Douglas, Amber Evans, Marc & Yolan Williams, Ezra & Nadia Seales, Heather Gutierrez, The John’s Family, South State Bank. Other friends and family too numerous to mention. Special thanks to the staff of the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 16 at Beeston Hill Wesleyan Holiness Church. Tributes will begin at 9 a.m. with service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.  Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. 

Bryan Reopens VI Slice Homeownership Program, Thanks Territory for Crucian Christmas Festival

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Bryan Reopens VI Slice Homeownership Program, Thanks Territory for Crucian Christmas Festival
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced Tuesday the reopening of the VI Slice Moderate-Income Homeownership Program with an additional $2 million commitment, while also thanking residents for what he described as a successful 2025-2026 Crucian Christmas Festival. The VI Slice program has reopened to new applicants after demand exhausted its initial funding, Bryan said. Administered by the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority in partnership with the Office of the Governor and the Office of Disaster Recovery, the program provides financial assistance to moderate-income, first-time homebuyers for purchasing, renovating or building homes, according to a press release issued by Government House. “VI Slice exists for the people who keep this Territory running,” Bryan said. “Our nurses, teachers, law enforcement officers, skilled tradesmen, and working families who may earn too much to qualify for traditional assistance, but still find that the cost of a home is just out of reach.” First announced in October 2022 and launched in January 2023, the program has assisted more than 68 Virgin Islands families, offering grants of up to $200,000 to bridge financing gaps. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, the program provides secondary gap financing and is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2026, the press release stated. VIEDA Chief Executive Officer Wayne L. Biggs Jr. said the need for the program remains strong, the release stated. “VI Slice is helping moderate-income residents move from renting to owning, and that creates stability for families and long-term strength for our economy,” Biggs said. Eligible applicants must work through participating mortgage lenders, which include Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, FirstBank, Merchants Commercial Bank, Oriental Bank, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, among others, the release stated. In a separate press release issued the same day, Bryan thanked residents, volunteers and partners for the 2025-2026 Crucian Christmas Festival, highlighting strong participation in the children’s parade and coordination during Federal Aviation Administration air travel restrictions on Saturday. “Crucian Christmas Festival is the heartbeat of St. Croix on full display,” Bryan said. He also recognized the efforts of VITEMA, the Virgin Islands Port Authority, the Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association, and other partners who worked to keep residents and visitors informed during the travel disruptions, according to the press release. Bryan congratulated all parade winners and recognized VIO International as the Road March winner, noting the performance included St. John Administrator Shikima Jones Sprauve, the press release stated. “What gives me confidence is the way our people continue to work together, solve problems in real time, and learn from each year so next year is better,” Bryan said.

Public Defender Seeks to Seal Case of Teen Charged in Jordan Jones Killing

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Public Defender Seeks to Seal Case of Teen Charged in Jordan Jones Killing
The R.H. Amphlett Leader Justice Complex, home of the Superior Court on St. Croix. (File photo)
The public defender representing the teenager charged with killing Jordan “Dutty Heart” Jones has asked a V.I. Superior Court judge to seal legal proceedings amid threats of reprisals. (Source file photo)

The assistant territorial public defender representing the teenager accused of killing Jordan “Dutty Heart” Jones is asking a V.I. Superior Court judge to seal legal proceedings from public access due to the “tremendous amount of pre-trial publicity.”

Jones, 38, was shot and killed shortly before 1 p.m. on June 5 near the Christiansted boardwalk, and he died at the Juan F. Luis Hospital. Another bystander was grazed by a bullet and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said at the time. Surveillance footage and witness interviews led police to arrest Angelo Javier Carmona later that day. Authorities did not publicly identify Carmona, who was 15 at the time of his arrest, until the V.I. Justice Department had the case transferred to adult court.

The killing prompted an outpouring of collective grief from community members and elected officials. Carmona’s attorney, Dwayne Henry, wrote in a motion to seal the case filed on Dec. 15 that the ensuing publicity prompted threats to his client.

“Since the filing of this case, the Defendant has been subjected to public hostility, threats, and inflammatory commentary on social media, including threats from individuals associated with the deceased,” he wrote. “Continued public access places the Defendant’s personal safety and well-being at risk.”

Henry added that the public attention compromised his client’s right to a fair trial by “fueling public speculation and presumption of guilt in the community.”

“Public exposure of a minor accused of a serious offense serves no legitimate public interest when weighed against the risk of foreseeable and irreversible harm,” he wrote. “Given the Defendant’s age, vulnerability, and the heightened risk of retaliation, sealing is necessary to protect both the integrity of these proceedings and the Defendant’s constitutional rights.”

Superior Court Judge Venetia Velazquez has yet to rule on the matter. During a discovery conference Wednesday on St. Croix, she allowed Henry time to refile the motion to include legal bases for the request.

Henry has also asked the court to order a psychiatric evaluation and noted Carmona’s age in a Dec. 5 motion as well as the fact that he had “a disruptive childhood, including his father being convicted of a domestic sexual offense” and that he “seems delusional and may not be in touch with reality.”

Relay For Life Returns to St. Thomas-St. John After Nearly a Decade

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Relay For Life Returns to St. Thomas-St. John After Nearly a Decade

After nearly a decade-long absence, Relay For Life is returning to St. Thomas and St. John — and organizers say the timing couldn’t be more important.

The first American Cancer Society Relay For Life of St. Thomas & St. John will take place from Jan. 17–18, at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School track, bringing together cancer survivors, caregivers, families, and community teams for a 24-hour walk dedicated to celebration, remembrance, and action. The event marks the first Relay held on St. Thomas since 2017, made possible through volunteer leadership and a partnership with St. Thomas East End Medical Center Corporation.

Nationally, more than two million new cancer diagnoses are expected in 2026, with more than 400 anticipated in the Virgin Islands. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States, underscoring the need for sustained community-based support and funding.

“Relay For Life is more than just a walk,” said event volunteer Lindsay Schauss. “It’s a volunteer-led movement that brings communities together to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones we’ve lost, and raise funds that directly support people living with cancer here in the Virgin Islands.” Schauss emphasized that all funds raised locally will support American Cancer Society programs and services in the USVI.

The event’s theme, “Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back,” reflects its core focus. Organizers define a cancer survivor as anyone who has ever heard the words “you have cancer,” and caregivers as those who have supported someone through treatment — roles they carry for life. Throughout the weekend, participants will take turns walking the track while community fundraising teams set up campsite-style spaces, creating what organizers describe as a supportive, festival-like atmosphere.

A highlight of the weekend will be a special Survivor Reception on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m., featuring Chef Jucinto Durant, who will prepare a nutritious meal for registered survivors, including a traditional kallalloo dish. “Cancer has done a number on us — not just as a community, but globally,” Durant said. “This is my way of doing my part and letting survivors know they are not alone.” A worship service led by Rev. Nate DeWard of the St. Thomas Reformed Church is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m.

The overnight walk will also include a luminary ceremony, one of Relay For Life’s most meaningful traditions, in which candlelit bags line the track in honor and remembrance of those impacted by cancer. The Virgin Islands Source is proud to be a sponsor of this event and will be lighting a luminary in honor of Elisa McKay — a beloved teacher, artist, mother, friend, and member of our St. Croix Source team whose warmth, creativity, and generosity of spirit left a lasting mark on our community.

Funds raised through Relay For Life in the Virgin Islands support patient financial assistance during active treatment, lodging for off-island care, free cancer screening grants, education and outreach efforts, and ongoing collaboration through the USVI Cancer Coalition.

Community members can participate by forming or joining a team, registering as a survivor, or making a donation. General registration is $15 and includes an event shirt, with additional fundraising incentives available. Cancer survivors may register for free and will receive a dedicated survivor shirt and access to the Survivor Reception.

Relay For Life of St. Thomas & St. John is sponsored by One Communications, Merchants Commercial Bank, Virgin Islands Source, and the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

More information and registration details are available at RelayForLife.org/StThomasVI.

The VI Breast Cancer Project: Serving the Cancer Community Through the Arts

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The VI Breast Cancer Project: Serving the Cancer Community Through the Arts
Participants display silk-dyed scarves created during a Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project art therapy class. (Photo by Terry Vanterpool)
As we ring in the new year, cancer survivors on the island of St. Croix can continue to look forward to art classes and other activities hosted by the Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project. The next class in their Art of Healing, Threads of Resilience, Healing Arts, Heritage and Culture Series will be a Wire Sculpture class, on Monday, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m., at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts on Strand Street in Frederiksted. The class will be led by none other than St. Croix’s artist extraordinaire, Waldemar Brodhurst. A self-taught sculptor, Brodhurst has elevated the technique of recycling discarded materials, including wire, rope, and sea glass, into works of art that speak to the history and soul of the Virgin Islands. This workshop promises to be a great opportunity for the novice to connect with their inner artist.
Participants focus on watercolor techniques during a Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project art therapy class, part of the organization’s ongoing Art of Healing series for cancer patients and survivors. (Photo by Terry Vanterpool)
Dubbed “art therapy” by project founder Diane J. Hampton, the VI Breast Cancer Project invites cancer patients of all types of cancer to attend sessions, which provide, as one survivor put it, respite for the soul. The program continues to be a successful and rewarding experience for cancer patients and survivors seeking relief from the toll that battling cancer causes. Since the inception of the art series, the range of art classes has run the gamut, from mixed media, watercolor painting, to the most recent silk-dye class held this past December, taught by textile and fiber artist, Yemaya Jones, at her studio in Frederiksted. Known locally and throughout mainland U.S. for her unique wearable art, Jones’ retrospective exhibit was the highlight of the 2025 fall season at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts.
An instructor offers guidance during a watercolor painting session hosted by the Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project as part of its Art of Healing program for cancer patients and survivors. (Photo by Terry Vanterpool)
Fifteen-year cancer survivor, Terry Vanterpool, eagerly shared her experiences having attended three classes hosted by VIBCP. “The mixed media class, as the name suggested, was taught by Theda Sandiford, an interdisciplinary artist. The use of different mediums was combined into a beautiful piece of art. This process allowed my creative juices to flow. I would take this class again. As for the silk-dye class, I was delighted to learn a skill that allowed me to create something so beautiful. Yemaya did a great job teaching us the dye techniques and the use of Adinkra icons, carved symbols, and other blocks to enhance our designs. The watercolor painting class taught by local artist Josie Kozloff was a bit more challenging but equally satisfying. Most of all, I enjoyed interacting with my fellow cancer survivors.”
Participants prepare silk for dyeing during a Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project art therapy class held in Frederiksted as part of the organization’s Art of Healing series. (Photo by Terry Vanterpool)
Debra Kissinger also attended the watercolor painting class, which she said was a lot of fun. She had this to say about the silk-dye class: “Each scarf turned out so beautiful and colorful. As I got to know the other participants, I was struck that our cancer journeys were as unique as the patterns on our scarves, and couldn’t help but wonder if the colors we chose reflected where we were on our cancer journeys – treatment, remission, survival. I loved it!” The Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project is one of 13 organizations awarded grants by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, through its 2025 Healing Humanities Cultural Place-Keeping Grant Program. The Art of Healing: Threads of Resilience, Healing Arts, Heritage and Culture Series will continue throughout 2026 and is free to individuals who are currently in cancer treatment and cancer survivors. For registration, click here.

Antilles’ Hurricane Hustle Invites the Community to Move, Gather, and Celebrate 75 Years

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Antilles’ Hurricane Hustle Invites the Community to Move, Gather, and Celebrate 75 Years
Antilles School will host the Antilles75 Hurricane Hustle 5K/2K Walk/Run and Family Fun Day on St. Thomas as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. (Photo courtesy Antilles School)

In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Antilles School is inviting the wider St. Thomas community to step outside, get moving, and spend the day together at the Antilles75 Hurricane Hustle 5k/2k Walk/Run & Family Fun Day, set for Saturday.

The day begins at 7 a.m. with the Hurricane Hustle — a 5k/2k walk and run designed less as a race and more as a shared wellness experience. Open to students, alumni, parents, faculty, and neighbors of all ages and abilities, the route will start on the Antilles campus and follow the scenic road toward Bolongo Bay, offering participants a chance to mark the school’s milestone in motion.

Race-day registration opens at 6:15 a.m., followed by a warm-up and announcements before the 7:15 start. Awards will be presented at 9:30 a.m., with prizes for top finishers and age-group winners. But organizers say the heart of the event lies in participation —showing up, moving together, and being part of something that spans generations.

As runners and walkers make their way back to campus, the focus shifts from miles to mingling. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Fishman Family Field will play host to a Family Fun Day that’s open to the entire community — whether or not you laced up your sneakers that morning.

The field will fill with music, food, and activity, creating a relaxed, festival-style atmosphere. Families can expect face painting, balloon art, temporary tattoos, giant games like Connect Four and chess, and classic field games including tug-of-war, sack races, and egg-and-spoon races. Younger guests can explore customized children’s activities hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands, while cultural educator Glen “Kwabena” Davis will lead storytelling sessions throughout the day.

There will also be interactive inflatables—including an inflatable axe-throwing attraction—a dunk tank featuring community “dunkees,” live music from a DJ, and a lineup of food trucks, local drink vendors, nonprofit organizations, and community partners offering everything from snacks to resources.

The Hurricane Hustle and Family Fun Day is a cornerstone event of Antilles School’s year-long 75th anniversary campaign, “Honoring Our Past. Inspiring Our Future.” Proceeds will support campus enhancements, athletic initiatives, arts and innovation programs, and tuition assistance — priorities that reflect the school’s commitment to educating the whole child within a connected community.

“For 75 years, Antilles has believed that education is about nurturing the whole child within a caring community,” Head of School Shannon Harris said. “This event offers a meaningful and joyful way to come together, celebrate wellness and connection, and invest in the resources that support our students.”

Antilles fifth-grade teacher, track and field, and cross country coach Connor MacKelvey, who helped organize the course, said the event reflects one of Antilles’ foundational values. “With community at the heart of who we are, this is a way to honor our past while inspiring the athletic future of not just our school, but our island,” he said.

The event is supported by sponsors including Comprehensive Orthopaedic Global, Perfected Claims, Partners 4 Kids, the U.S. Virgin Islands Health Department, Barefoot Buddha, and Gatorade, with additional opportunities available for sponsors, vendors, and volunteers.

Registration and full event details are available here. Residents and businesses in the Frenchman’s Bay and Bolongo Bay areas should also plan for traffic impacts on Saturday during the Hurricane Hustle 5K & Fun Run and Family Fun Day. From 7:00 to 10:00 a.m., a partial road closure will be in effect along the route between Antilles School and Bolongo Bay, with one westbound lane closed toward Bolongo Bay and slow, controlled eastbound traffic toward Antilles; VIPD officers will be stationed along the route to manage traffic and ensure safety. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and use caution, as more than 100 runners and walkers are expected on the roadway during the event.

VI Slice Moderate-Income Homeownership Program Reopens With Additional $2 Million

Mat Probasco
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VI Slice Moderate-Income Homeownership Program Reopens With Additional $2 Million
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced today that the VI Slice Moderate-Income Homeownership Program has reopened to new applicants after the Governor recommitted an additional $2 million to sustain and expand the program’s impact for eligible first-time homebuyers.
The home-ownership program VI Slice returns with fresh funding. (Submitted photo)
Administered by the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA) in partnership with the Office of the Governor and the Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR), the VI Slice program was created to help moderate-income Virgin Islanders access critical financial assistance to purchase, renovate or build a home. The Governor said the program’s portal was temporarily closed late last year after the initial funding set aside for grants was fully utilized due to strong demand and proven results. With the added $2 million now committed, the application portal has been reopened to help more families take their next step toward homeownership and long-term financial security. “VI Slice exists for the people who keep this Territory running,” Governor Bryan said. “Our nurses, teachers, law enforcement officers, skilled tradesmen, and working families who may earn too much to qualify for traditional assistance, but still find that the cost of a home is just out of reach. This program closes that gap. It turns years of hard work into a set of keys, a front door, and a future right here at home. Reopening VI Slice is about keeping Virgin Islands professionals in the Virgin Islands, strengthening our families, and building generational wealth that stays in our community.” First announced by Governor Bryan in October 2022 and launched for applications in January 2023, VI Slice has become one of the Territory’s most impactful homeownership initiatives for moderate-income residents. Since its inception, the program has assisted more than 68 Virgin Islands families with the purchase of their first home, providing grants of up to $200,000 to help bridge financing gaps and support home purchase, rehabilitation, and construction. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered locally by VIEDA, the program provides secondary gap financing, helping close the shortfall between what a primary lender can approve and what a first-time buyer needs to complete a home purchase. The program’s grant period ends Dec. 31, 2026. “Demand has been strong because the need is real, and the outcomes speak for themselves,” said VIEDA Chief Executive Officer Wayne L. Biggs Jr. “VI Slice is helping moderate-income residents move from renting to owning, and that creates stability for families and long-term strength for our economy. We are grateful to Governor Bryan for recommitting resources to keep this program moving forward, and we sincerely thank the lending institutions that continue to partner with us to make homeownership possible for more Virgin Islanders.” Upon referral by participating mortgage lenders, VI Slice may provide support for eligible first-time homebuyers, including:
  • Home purchase with rehabilitation: Up to $200,000
  • Home construction: Up to $200,000
  • Down payment and closing cost assistance: Up to $100,000
Applicants may combine eligible activities up to a maximum aggregate award of $200,000. Participating lenders include Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Virgin Bay Mortgage USVI, Capital Mortgage Services of Texas, FirstBank, Merchants Commercial Bank, Oriental Bank, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD). Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Merchants Commercial Bank, and USDA-RD offer construction loans under the program. Eligible residents are encouraged to work with a participating lender to determine mortgage readiness and begin the referral process. To learn more about the VI Slice Moderate-Income Homeownership Program visit www.vislice.com or contact the VIEDA Economic Development Authority at 340-773-6499 in St. Croix and 340-714-1700 in the St. Thomas/ St. John District.
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