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Campaign explores social housing as solution for crisis

Bermuda Is Love’s housing campaign poster (Image supplied)

The “commodification of housing” in Bermuda will be challenged as part of an upcoming campaign.

Bermuda Is Love will lead the charge on the Bermuda Is Home drive that also advocates for housing as a human right.

There are four themed events taking place throughout June focusing on the local housing problem, its history, solutions and the future.

Aaron Crichlow (File photograph)

Aaron Crichlow, of Bermuda Is Love, said the island needed “transformation, not tinkering”.

He added: “In Bermuda, housing is treated not as a necessity but as a financial asset. It is a system where profit comes before people.

“Those unable to meet rising rents or mortgage payments are left behind, excluded by a market driven by speculation and inequality.

“Throwing more money into this unjust market will not solve the crisis. The root causes — unregulated markets, speculative investment and deep economic inequality — must be addressed.”

Bermuda Is Love campaign schedule

Week 1 — The Problem

Theme: Understanding the root causes of homelessness and the housing crisis

Event: Panel discussion and housing justice social

Date: Friday

Time: 5.30pm to 8pm

Location: Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, 1 Point Pleasant Road, Hamilton

Week 2 — History

Theme: Housing inequality through time

Event: Exploring Bermuda’s “Black Mecca” tour

Date: June 14

Time: 10am to noon

Location: Meet at the corner of Princess Street and Dundonald Street, Hamilton

Week 3 — The Solution

Theme: What social housing looks like

Event: Volunteer day with Home at Astor House

Date: June 21

Time: 10am to noon

Location: Astor House, 38 Union Street, Hamilton

Week 1 — The Future

Theme: Community vision and action

Event: Social housing community visioning session

Date: June 28

Time: 10am to noon

Location: To be announced

Mr Crichlow said that Bermuda must reimagine housing “through the lens of justice, equality and community”, and consider a social housing programme that prioritises human dignity over profits.

He added: “Cities like Vienna, Singapore and Amsterdam have shown that when housing is built for people, not markets, entire communities thrive.

“This campaign is not just about awareness — it is about building collective power, shifting culture and demanding justice.

“We believe that housing is a human right and that every Bermudian deserves to feel secure, respected and at home.”

The Government has said it is committed to modernising the rental legislation to better serve landlords as well as their tenants through the Landlord and Tenant Act.

Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs, said this week that the aim was to “create a rental market that is accountable, accessible and sustainable”.

Meanwhile, more affordable housing units are expected to be made available after the Bermuda Housing Corporation received a 33 per cent boost to $17 million in capital funding in the last Budget.

David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance, said last month that the funds would continue the “record investment in affordable housing made by this government” and were expected to result in the delivery of 30 additional affordable housing units in 2025.

Mr Crichlow encouraged the public to follow the campaign that aims to “fight for a future where housing is a right, not a privilege — and where Bermuda is truly home for all”.

All events are free and open to the public.

To register, visitwww.bermudaislove.com

Bermuda Is Love’s housing campaign poster (Image supplied)
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Published June 05, 2025 at 7:54 am (Updated June 05, 2025 at 7:53 am)

Campaign explores social housing as solution for crisis

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