Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Housing, has given a rough agenda for hopes to roll out up to 1,500 affordable units across the island within the next decade.

Mr DeSilva said it was mapped out in the ministry’s ten-year strategy, which has gone before the Cabinet and is being distributed to various other government departments.

He explained: “Planning, seniors, my ministry and finance — all those ministries have to be in tune to what our plan is.”

Mr DeSilva, who is also the Deputy Premier, spoke on the Government’s Leaders on the Record podcast, highlighting the high cost and length of time required to build a traditional home in Bermuda.

He said: “If you just build a three-bedroom cottage, you’re looking at 12 to 14 or 16 months to complete it from start to finish. That’s not going to cut it for people who are in desperate need.”

The ministry is examining “precast, prefabricated and modular housing” to deliver homes as quickly as possible.

Mr DeSilva hoped these models can result in between 100 and 200 additional homes in Bermuda within the next year.

He explained: “I’ve identified 30 sites on the island, five in particular, where we’re going to start these homes.”

These sites — Victoria Row and Albert Row in Sandys, a lot near Dr Cann Park in Southampton, Tommy Fox Road in St David’s, 13 Ewing Street in Hamilton and Harbour View Village, also in St David’s — are all managed by the Bermuda Housing Corporation and the Bermuda Land Management Company.

In December, Mr DeSilva met with residents of Boaz Island and heard concerns about plans to place nine modular homes in the area.

He recalled: “There were about 100 to 150 people there. We had three people who strongly objected, but for the most part, folks seemed to be fairly happy with the explanations that were given as to why we chose Boaz Island field.”

He also voiced ambitions to build between 300 and 400 homes within the next 18 months, adding that 37 new BHC units, at Harmony Hall in Paget, the Chelsea property in St George’s, Battery Road in St David’s and Middle Town in Pembroke, will come online this year.

Mr DeSilva explained: “We’re going to talk to people that we put in these homes and have a serious ‘come to Jesus’ talk and say ‘we’re going to put you in these homes, look after them like they’re your own’.”

He added: “Our people have to take pride — these are going to be brand-new units and we need people to take pride, treat it like it’s your own.”