4 days ago
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Senior Reporter
Eloise Gonsalves, wife of St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is condemning allegations surrounding her family’s purchase of three Housing Development Corporation (HDC) units in T&T, describing them as politically motivated.
In a social media statement, Gonsalves’ wife said the claims amounted to “political malice,” alleging that the opposing New Democratic Party had embarked on a smear campaign ahead of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ general election later this month.
“After my then 90-year-old mother’s property was destroyed by Hurricane Maria, we as a family invested in property in Trinidad, where two of my mother’s sons, my brothers, and her grandchildren reside. We bought the apartments at market rate after our family suffered a tragedy.”
She added, “Well, the political malice has started against my family, but if the NDP gets in, it ends with you and your family. They are attacking Grace Walters viciously, and now they’re lying about us.”
Her comments came in response to criticism from Minister in the Ministry of Housing Anil Roberts, who has called on Mrs Gonsalves to provide further clarification on the transactions.
Speaking during a Facebook Live broadcast on Thursday, Roberts questioned the legitimacy and circumstances of the acquisitions, alleging that the properties were bought at significantly reduced prices and not “at market value” as Mrs Gonsalves previously claimed in a social media post.
“You said that due to the devastation of the hurricane, it caused you and your family to buy three Victoria Keyes PNM HDC subsidised-built houses at market price. Well, we in Trinidad and Tobago know what market price under the PNM means; it means well below actual value,” Roberts stated.
He also disputed her claim that the purchases were made after Hurricane Maria in 2017, alleging that documents in his possession showed a different timeline. He said one transaction involving the couple’s daughter, Soleil Gonsalves, was finalised on April 30, 2025—eight years after the hurricane and two days after the general election that saw a change in government.
Roberts alleged that the arrangement was not an outright purchase, but a rent-to-own agreement, with Soleil paying TT$2,750 per month for five years.
“Not purchase at market price, Madam Eloise, rental. Victoria Keyes, an expensive luxury gated community, for $2,750 a month? You can’t get a one-room in Penal or Barrackpore for that,” Roberts declared.
He said the agreement required the HDC to cover rates, taxes, and other costs normally borne by homeowners, and allowed the property to be sold to Soleil for $1.3 million at the end of the rental period or extended.
“So here it is, Soleil Gonsalves is being allowed to live in a property worth $1.3 million while paying a monthly rental of $2,750,” Roberts said. “Please explain, Madam Eloise, as elegantly as you did in your last video.”
Prime Minister Gonsalves has since said that he was awaiting legal advice on whether legal action can be taken against Roberts.
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