The United Bermuda Party has called on Housing Minister David Burch to resign if he does not deliver on his latest target date to finally build the much-delayed Southside housing project.

The challenge comes after Sen. Burch announced the project had been scaled down again because of the economic downturn while other projects have been shelved.

He pledged a total of 58 units will be ready in 368 days from yesterday, with a contractor due to move in once work on the infrastructure is completed this month.

However, the remaining 48 units, together with plans for Pepper Hall Common in St. David's and other developments in Dockyard still have question marks over them due to lack of funding.

The Southside project had already been scaled down from nearly 200 units promised in 2004 before the original contractor walked away because Government couldn't release the land.

Last night Senator Jeanne Atherden, Shadow Minister for Housing, said Government had a history of broken promises so Ministers needed to be kept to their words.

She said: "It is our view that they go about their work without any real sense that they will be held personally responsible for lack of progress on any given issue or project.

"We challenge the Minister to put his career as Housing Minister on the line for the lottery winners. Draw a line in the sand for their sake.

"Tell them that you will resign your post if their housing is not in place by the time that you promised them on Thursday night.

"People need more than words.

"They have been the victims of poor Government planning, its over-promising ways and its under-performing results."

The latest twist in the Southside saga will spark concern among those who won the right to buy the low-cost units at Harbour View in a lottery more than three years ago.

Mrs. Atherden said: "For too long – more than three years since the lottery – their winning tickets have led to nothing. The Government – specifically Col. Burch – has promised their dream homes will soon be theirs and to hang on, but his words have been empty promises.

"It must be a very difficult situation for parents who have promised their children a new home and for couples whose plans have been put on hold time and again."

And the UBP have also questioned the Government's failure to build housing when it had the resources to do so after Sen. Burch revealed on Thursday that a number of projects across the Island were in jeopardy.

He told this newspaper that the Pepper Hall Common plans for 59 transitional housing units – originally set for groundbreaking in the first quarter of this year – probably won't be started this year or next year.

In Dockyard, the original plan was to redevelop Victoria Row and Albert Row to add another 20 two-bedroom rental units.

The West End Development Corporation was also due to start work on 25 one-bedroom units and 26 two-bedroom units at the North Basin. The Victualling Yard was earmarked for development of 16 one-bedroom units, 16 two-bedroom units, and 16 three-bedroom units.

Sen. Burch said the Victoria and Albert Row project will be addressed but "there most likely will not be 100 houses" built in the other areas for now.

In Ewing Street, where 16 residential units along with commercial space are currently subject to a Planning appeal, Sen. Burch said he hopes a public-private partnership will fund the construction without the need for Government debt.

Responding last night, Mrs. Atherden said: "For most of its ten years in power, the PLP government did not move on housing, even though it was one of the most pressing issues of the day.

"Now, we fear, it may have missed the boat. The world financial crisis continues to steepen and recession is more than likely, meaning Government income and reserves will diminish, possibly significantly.

"The Government, moreover, failed to listen to our calls over the past year for spending discipline and financial belt tightening in the face of a widely anticipated economic downturn.

"The economic pressures will force the Government like never before to make priorities.

"In doing so, we hope it recognises the importance of finally living up to the promises made to the winners of the Southside housing lottery."