DeSilva: 229 residential units to be built within 18 months
Housing minister Zane DeSilva has revealed that over $110 million will be spent to build more than 200 homes in the next 18 months.
Mr DeSilva set out progress being made to add 229 residential units to the island’s inventory, which are expected to break ground in August.
He told the House of Assembly that the total estimated investment for this phase of the Government’s housing plan is $114,750,000.
“From the moment construction begins, we are looking at an aggressive, highly efficient timeline of approximately 18 months to get Bermudians into these homes,” he said.
Mr DeSilva said that by directing work through the statutory frameworks of the Bermuda Land Management Corporation and the Bermuda Housing Corporation, the Government is using the entities that hold the legislative mandates, specialised real estate portfolios and technical mechanisms needed for large-scale delivery.
He said a Memorandum of Understanding is now being established between BLMC and BHC to map out roles, responsibilities, procurement guidelines and project delivery timelines.
Mr DeSilva added: “The BLMC has, in collaboration with the BHC and the ministry, pressed on over the past several months with intense feasibility assessments, site identifications and engineering evaluations.
“Traditional Bermudian construction was examined, but frankly, it is too expensive and takes much too long when our people need housing now.”
Mr DeSilva said that precast concrete construction was determined to be the “absolute best solution” for the time frame.
He said it is cost-effective, fast to assemble, durable and resilient against harsh environmental conditions.
This initial phase of the Affordable Housing Programme will deliver 229 residential units strategically spread across four main sites:
• 24 two-bedroom units in Albert Row, Dockyard
• 24 three-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units in Victoria Place, Dockyard
• 110 one-bedroom units in Southampton, adjacent to Dr Cann Park
• 12 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units on Tommy Fox Road in St David’s
• 35 single-occupancy units retrofitted in the existing Channel House in St David’s, specifically for senior living
He said Coastal Precast Systems of Virginia, US, will be supporting delivery at Albert Row, Victoria Place and Tommy Fox Road and Preconco Limited of Barbados is to support the project at Dr Cann Park.
He said Bermudian contractors and service providers will be “at the very heart of this project”.
Mr DeSilva added: “Every single dollar of this investment represents a direct injection into the social fabric and economic future of our country.”
He reminded the public about the recent completion of the affordable units at Middle Town.
“The BHC is actively working with four Bermudian families to move them into these newly renovated two-bedroom units immediately. Unlike the unrealistic market prices being charged elsewhere, the rent is set at a fair, truly affordable $1,400 per month. That is real relief, delivered right now.
At the Chelsea houses in St David’s, $2.7 million has been invested to build five new units, consisting of two three-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units. They are on target for completion in July.
The Battery Phase II development, also in St David’s, is in progress and invests $3.75 million to deliver another 12 units, consisting of four two-bedrooms, two one-bedrooms and six studios. Mr DeSilva said this work will be completed between August and September of this year.
He added: “New life is being breathed into the Harmony Club campus with an intensive, multiphase regeneration project. $2.6 million is being invested into Harmony Terrace North to completely repurpose 16 efficiency units.
“Whenever we disturb older buildings, there are bound to be some unforeseen surprises and this project is no different. Completion of these works is targeted for early 2027.”
Mr DeSilva said Harmony Terrace South will see another sixteen efficiency units retrofitted, with a target completion for the third quarter of 2027.
“To ensure that the Harmony Club campus is able to adequately serve its tenants, the BHC is spending $360,000 on trenching and essential infrastructure upgrades for Belco metering, transformers, communications and piped water to be installed.
“Materials for this work are arriving on site within the next few weeks. This work is expected to be complete in the third quarter of this year.”
Mr DeSilva spoke to “absolute nonsense being spun in the media” against the Government’s plans, and said the Government is moving with purpose and speed.
Michael Fahy, the Shadow Minister of Economy, Labour and Housing, has questioned the Government’s housing strategy in a series of articles.
During Parliament, Mr Fahy asked Mr DeSilva whether it was absolute nonsense to suggest, as the One Bermuda Alliance did, giving long-term leases to private developers on government land to incentivise building different forms of housing.
Mr DeSilva responded that it was “absolutely not”.
Mr Fahy went on to ask whether it was nonsense to suggest empty school buildings and government buildings could be used for temporary and emergency housing.
Mr DeSilva said it was “absolute nonsense” and not a good suggestion, adding: “What empty school buildings?”
Robin Tucker, the Shadow Minister of Youth and Family Services, asked whether occupants would be subject to any other built-in costs aside from rent. Mr DeSilva responded they would not.
Mr DeSilva said that the BHC had a standard rental rate for all one to four-bed units that “will remain the same throughout the year”.
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