A draft version of the decade-long Affordable Housing Strategy has been opened to the public.

Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Housing and Municipalities, projected the creation of as many as 1,350 new homes by 2035.

Mr DeSilva announced other measures, including improving affordability and the creation of a Housing Authority and Department of Housing.

He said: “Your input is critical in making sure that this strategy reflects the real needs of our communities and leads to meaningful, lasting change.

“We encourage every Bermudian — everyone — to take the time to read the draft strategy and share your views to help shape the final version.”

The remarks came as Mr DeSilva gave a press conference with updates on the strategy.

The project, which he outlined in February, would deliver between 950 and 1,350 housing units by 2035.

Phase 1, the minister said, focused on urgent housing needs by creating about 310 housing units within 18 months, including emergency and supporting houses.

These houses would be reserved for families on the Bermuda Housing Corporation waiting list, as well as seniors on fixed incomes, single-parent households, young people looking for their own spaces and those dealing with homelessness.

Mr DeSilva said the houses would be made of modular precast concrete and use “hybrid and mid-rise construction methods”.

He added that empty and underutilised homes would be refurbished and added to the rental market to reduce the “current backlog of 400 households”.

Phase 1 of the project started last year with feasibility assessments on existing buildings, according to Mr DeSilva, which found 30 suitable housing development sites.

He added more than 200 planned homes would be established across five sites — Victoria Place and Albert Row in Sandys; Tommy Fox Road in St David’s island; Dr Cann Park in Southampton; and Chanel House in St David’s.

Mr DeSilva said the work represented “significant progress in increasing supply where it’s needed most”.

Phase 1 is expected to cost about $115.75 million, which Mr DeSilva said was secured through local banks and supported by “a government guarantee”.

Groundbreaking is expected to take place in August, subject to approval, with delivery anticipated for about 18 months later.

Phase 2 would focus on readying 300 housing units by redeveloping existing homes and introducing “medium-scale modular and hybrid developments”.

Mr DeSilva said: “This phase is designed not only to provide more homes, but also to improve the quality of neighbourhoods and living conditions for all residents.”

He added that Phase 3 would be the “long-term stage” and focus on “large-scale sites” and “system consolidation”.

He estimated delivering almost 400 units due in part to multi-step community housing projects developed across the parishes.

Mr DeSilva added: “This phase strengthens the overall housing system and ensures long-term stability and support for future generations.”

The minister said he was confident he would be able to deliver on his promise of more than 1,000 homes by 2035.

He explained: “When I said I would build 100 homes in 12 to 18 months, I was told I was dreaming, but that number’s now doubled that.”

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

The Department of Planning rejected this modular housing plan, which the BHC appealed.

Mr DeSilva confirmed today that the corporation was still waiting on a response, which he added he was confident would be successful.

He said capsules for more housing were expected to reach Bermuda within several weeks.

Mr DeSilva said: “We know this challenge will not be solved overnight, but today is about commitment — commitment to practical action, to accountability and to real progress.”

• The strategy can be read in full at forum.gov.bm. Those who wish to offer feedback can do so using the link or by e-mailing housing@gov.bm