Minister says Government is moving with “purpose” and “speed” on affordable housing projects
Plans have been submitted for two residential developments at opposite ends of the island.
The projects would bring a total of 48 affordable housing units online, contributing to the more than 200 homes planned under the first phase of Government’s Affordable Housing Programme.
Minister of Housing and Municipalities Zane DeSilva sought to reassure parliamentarians that Government remains committed to delivering affordable housing, despite criticism from what he described as “detached commentators and predictable political critics.”
“Despite the absolute nonsense being spun in the media, you can see that no one is dragging their feet on this side of the House,” he said. “We are moving with purpose, we are moving with speed, and we are moving to deliver for the Bermudian people.”
Speaking in the House of Assembly, Minister DeSilva reminded MPs that the initial phase of the Affordable Housing Programme is expected to deliver 229 residential units across four sites in Sandys, Southampton, St. David’s and St. George’s.
The Minister said traditional construction methods were considered, but precast concrete was ultimately selected because of its cost-effectiveness, durability and faster construction timeline.
He continued: “… despite what the skeptics are claiming in the media, this is no ‘untried experiment’. This method has an established and highly successful local track record. It was the exact methodology which was successfully deployed by the BLMC under its former entity, the West End Development Corporation—or WEDCo—to replace the dilapidated and now-demolished Victoria Row buildings. We know it works, we know it lasts, and because the BLMC has already done it, they are the ideal entity to lead this project.
“In fact, Mr. Speaker, let us not forget that if the OBA had not stepped in and scaled back that exact development following the 2012 election, this country would have had an additional 80 affordable homes available for our people well over a decade ago.”
So far, planning applications have been submitted for developments at both ends of the island.
The proposed Albert Row Village development near Dockyard would include 24 two-bedroom units in a three-storey residential building.
Meanwhile, plans for Tommy Fox Road in St. David’s call for two three-storey residential buildings containing 12 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units.
The first phase of the Affordable Housing Programme carries an estimated price tag of $114.75 million. Financing has been secured through local banks, backed by a Government guarantee.
Two overseas partners – Coastal Precast Systems of Virginia and Preconco Limited of Barbados – have been selected to support the developments. However, Minister DeSilva stressed that Bermudian contractors and service providers will remain central to the project.
“Subject to planning approvals, contract finalization and site preparation, we anticipate breaking ground in or around August of this year,” said Minister DeSilva. “From the moment construction begins, we are looking at an aggressive, highly efficient timeline of approximately 18 months to get Bermudians into these homes.”
The Minister also highlighted several housing projects already nearing completion.
Five new units at Chelsea Houses in St. David’s are expected to be completed in July, while twelve units at the Battery Phase II development are targeted for completion between August and September.
In addition, sixteen efficiency units at Harmony Terrace North are being repurposed, with completion expected in early 2027.
Read the Minister’s full remarks below.
