Starting today, 21 homeowners will begin moving into their brand new, ritzy, low-cost two and three bedroom condos at Loughlands in Paget.

On Saturday, Premier Ewart Brown, at the development's official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, commended Housing Minister Senator David Burch and developer Gilbert Lopes for bringing the project to fruition.

Amid the celebratory atmosphere, which included a performance by Warwick Gombey dancers, Dr. Brown told the crowd of more than 100: "There are those of us who dare to dream.

"But there are those of us who sometimes have to touch that dream — and this is a day when the people can touch it!"

Civil servants, homeowners and Cabinet Ministers made up the crowd, gathered in the property's courtyard.

The 21 units, constructed out of traditional Bermudian materials, are just the first phase.

In total, the development will see 96 units and a day care centre.

The homes are priced at $500,000 for a three bedroom unit and $450,000 for a two bedroom home.

Sen. Burch said the next phase of 21 units will soon be complete.

Dr. Brown said Mr. Lopes got hold of the property in 2003 and approached Government with a public/private housing project in mind.

"In 2006, Col. Burch came to me and said, 'I have a proposition. I think Government has an opportunity to develop housing at Loughlands with Mr. Lopes'," Dr. Brown said.

"However, (Sen. Burch) said to me that Loughlands was zoned for tourism, and so we had to act.

"While Bermuda needs more hotels, if we don't have places to house our people then tourism doesn't matter.

"I want to thank and commend Col. Burch for having the commitment to work to make this project happen."

Minister Burch then spoke on Government's commitment to providing housing: "I cannot begin to tell you how much joy I feel today.

"Government is about providing for people and, in this case, providing housing. This journey began two years ago with Gilbert Lopes. However, it wasn't an easy journey. Sometimes the lawyers involved in this process drove him and I crazy.

"This development was started by a fellow Bermudian (Mr. Lopes) who wanted to build houses for his fellow Bermudians."

Sen. Burch said of the construction of the homes: "The workmanship is superior and the (housing) standards here — are above 'standard'.

"This is only the beginning. This Government is determined to address the housing problem in this Island."

He said some who applied through the Bermuda Housing Corporation to qualify for a home were not successful.

However, he said those unsuccessful in this phase will be considered for the next, as his Ministry is looking to accommodate everyone on the BHC's housing list "until there's no more names on it".

"Housing is not for the Ministry of Housing," he added. "It's for the people of Bermuda. It's about helping people in tangible and realistic ways.

"Speaking as a soldier, all I can tell you is to stand by because there's more to come!"

Following the speeches and a blessing of the development from Pastor Ronnie Smith, Dr. Brown, Sen. Burch and Mr. Lopes conducted a roof-wetting ceremony.

People looked on with excitement as the Premier opened a bottle of Gosling's Black Seal Rum and dipped a few ounces onto a traditional Bermuda roof.

Following that, the Premier and Sen. Burch cut the red ribbon beneath new homeowner Wendy Harvey's condo, signalling the development's official opening.

Then, a contingent including Dr. Brown and the Senator, accompanied Ms. Harvey upstairs where the keys to the unit were formally handed to her, followed by a tour of her home.

Ms. Harvey, 43 and a single mother of a 19-year-old daughter, said: "I'm very happy to have the opportunity to own a house in Bermuda. I'm grateful for this Government's efforts, the Premier's, as well as the Minister's."