The One Bermuda Alliance issued the following statement.
The One Bermuda Alliance acknowledges the recent statements by PLP MP Christopher Famous identifying that Bermuda’s housing efforts remain limited in scale and do not fully meet the level of need. Housing affordability and housing security continue to be among the most pressing issues facing Bermudians, particularly in a market with net zero population growth where access to stable housing remains increasingly uncertain.
We recognise that the Government has spoken publicly about a 10-year housing plan, including at the recent Boaz Island announcement. The key question now is how will the Government ensure that outcomes are delivered at the pace and scale required, particularly for young Bermudians, working families, seniors, and Bermudians seeking to return home. A plan alone is not enough; measurable progress, transparency of timelines, and accessibility of housing options must follow.
Shadow Minister for Housing & Municipalities, Michael Fahy, adds: “Every Bermudian deserves the chance to live securely in their own country. In addition to increasing supply, we must be willing to modernise how and where we build, including building higher in Hamilton through mixed-use developments that provide housing options across different income levels. These approaches can help maximise limited space while strengthening the vibrancy of our city.”
Opposition Senator and Housing spokesperson, Dion Smith, says: “In earlier decades, Bermudians faced little to no global competition for opportunity. Today, our people are competing in a global economy where skills are mobile and choices are wider. Bermudians want security, not just housing, but the ability to live balanced lives. We must ask ourselves whether our systems allow people to work to live or force them to live to work.”
As part of this national conversation, the OBA believes Bermuda must be open to exploring practical options such as assessing whether government-owned vacant buildings, including former schools, could be safely repurposed into long-term housing with pathways such as rent-to-buy, prioritising Bermudian families. Other potential tools, including private-sector partnerships and fast-tracked affordable developments, may also warrant consideration through broad consultation.
The OBA also believes attention must be given to systemic barriers that restrict housing availability, including lengthy probate processes that delay properties from entering the market and place unnecessary financial strain on families, particularly seniors. Addressing these inefficiencies is a solvable step that can both ease financial burdens and responsibly increase housing stock.
The OBA will continue to raise the concerns felt every day in our communities and will participate constructively in housing policy discussions with one guiding principle: Bermudians must always come first.
