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.
