Bryan: VI Slice Adds $4M

M.A. Dworkin

St. Thomas - At the Weekly Press Briefing at Government House St. Thomas, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. welcomed the Legislature’s approval of an additional $4 million for the VI Slice Moderate Income Homeownership Program, an initiative designed and launched by the Bryan-Roach Administration to make homeownership more attainable for working Virgin Islanders. 

Since its launch, VI Slice has helped more than 73 Virgin Islands families become homeowners. The additional funding will allow the program to continue assisting residents who earn too much to qualify for traditional housing assistance but still face difficulty purchasing a home in today’s market.

“Homeownership remains one of the most effective tools for building wealth and strengthening communities,” Governor Bryan said. “It creates stronger neighborhoods, greater economic security and a deeper investment in the future of our Territory.” 

The Administration created VI Slice to address a longstanding gap for working residents with stable incomes who need additional support to meet the cost of purchasing a home.

“Through VI Slice, more than 73 Virgin Islands families have already achieved the dream of homeownership,” the Governor noted. “That means more families building equity, creating stability and laying the foundation for future generations.”

The Governor said he remains committed to the program’s continued success and hopes to work with the Legislature to establish a permanent funding source that will allow VI Slice to serve Virgin Islands families for years to come. 

Bryan on Final Senate Testimony

Governor Bryan reflected on his recent final appearance before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing provided an opportunity to outline the progress the Virgin Islands has made in advancing its federal priorities over the past years of the Bryan-Roach Administration.

That progress includes increased federal disaster recovery support and significantly reduced local matching requirements for projects rebuilding schools, day care centers, health care facilities and other critical public infrastructure. 

The federal cost share for eligible Hurricane Irma and Maria recovery projects increased from 90% to 95%. Many critical infrastructure projects also became eligible for a 98% federal share, reducing the burden on the Territory’s General Fund and preserving hundreds of millions of dollars for other public needs.

The Administration has also advanced efforts to secure permanent certainty for the rum cover-over program, strengthened the Territory’s Medicaid position and continued advocating for equitable treatment under federal health care programs.

The Governor said federal support for the Territory’s energy transformation has helped advance renewable energy generation, storm-resistant utility infrastructure and efforts to build a more reliable and resilient electrical system. 

During the hearing, committee members recognized the Virgin Islands’ investment in composite utility poles, underground electrical infrastructure and expanded solar energy generation. 

“These are not simply infrastructure projects,” Governor Bryan said. “They are investments in resilience, reliability, and the future of our people.”

The Governor said significant federal priorities remain unresolved. The Administration will continue advocating for Supplemental Security Income parity, TEFRA rebasing, fair federal reimbursement for the Territory’s hospitals and policies that account for the unique economic and geographic realities of insular areas. 

“At the same time, I made clear to members of the committee that our work is not finished,” Governor Bryan said. “We will continue pursuing policies that allow the Virgin Islands to compete on a level playing field with the states.”