The data tells a challenging story: 375 Bermudian families are on housing waiting lists.

As Marico Thomas, the president of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, bluntly stated: “We are building seven units per month. At this rate, it would take 30 years to hit that time.”

Which refers to a critical target: 2,500 housing units needed to accommodate Bermuda's ideal population.

At the recent Bermuda Infrastructure and Development Summit, local experts did not just diagnose problems. They proposed solutions to the island’s housing challenges.

“We need to be ... big and courageous,” Mr Thomas said. “You've got to say something uncomfortable today.”

Victoria Cordeiro, the director of the Department of Planning, is proposing a potentially game-changing approach. The new City of Hamilton Plan introduces radical flexibility, moving away from rigid building restrictions. “We’re removing predetermined parameters,” Ms Cordeiro explained. “It's about allowing more discretion and architectural creativity.”

One solution is the community benefits policy. Developers can now contribute to community projects in exchange for development approvals, creating a win-win scenario for housing and infrastructure.

Innovative construction methods are also on the table. Tika Gilbert, an architect, suggested modular building techniques, proposing local training programmes to assemble prefabricated units. “We could configure everything here, assembling like a Lego set,” she said.

Denise Carey, the executive director of Home, offered a holistic vision. “Affordable housing is a process,” she emphasised. “It means accountability and sustainability.”

Her approach includes training programmes that teach construction skills to vulnerable populations, creating pathways to both housing and employment.

The Bermuda Housing Corporation is already implementing targeted strategies. Paul Martin, the chief executive and general manager, described continuing projects in St George’s and Middletown, Pembroke, with at least 12 new units coming online in the next 18 months.

International expertise is also providing inspiration. Heather Pinnock, the keynote speaker, a Jamaican development professional who is the managing director of Lucea Caribbean, highlighted global sustainable development practices, noting that nearly half of the buildings that will exist by 2050 have not been built yet, presenting a massive opportunity for innovative design.

The message was clear: Bermuda doesn’t just need houses. It needs smart, sustainable communities that work for everyone.