Government is doing all that it can to work towards providing affordable housing for all Bermudians, Premier Alex Scott and Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent have claimed.

Addressing the media on current housing initiatives, both argued that through continued Public Private Partnerships (PPP), mixed affordable housing developments such as the one under construction at Southside and the development of existing Government land, they would deliver on their Social Agenda pledges.

At present, there are some 1,000 housing units being planned or developed, Mr. DeVent said.

The developments at Sandhurst in St. George's - which will boast six apartments of varying size - and the three-unit development at Orange Hole, St. David's, will be completed by the end of the month, he said.

The eight units at Butterfield Lane in Sandys are also “nearing completion” - all of which will provide homes for 17 families.

“And I am pleased with the progress of BHC as it continues to forge partnerships with the private sector through the private sector rental programme,” Mr. DeVent said. “The formation of private sector partnerships, coupled with our ongoing building projects will fulfil our goal of producing tangible results for the people.”

Meanwhile, it was announced that emergency housing units will be shipped to Bermuda on June 27 to provide additional relief - although Mr. DeVent refused to say where Government is planning to locate them.

The results of a Ministry-sponsored survey on Bermuda's housing needs will be available to him on June 15, the Minister added, which will give an indication of just how many and what type of units Bermuda really needs.

“Historically we haven't really had any idea how many houses we need,” he said

“People were just basically, politically building houses. I am trying to define what that need is exactly. We have plans to build somewhere in the region of 1,000 units. But that figure might have to be adjusted in light of the survey's results.”

Pressed on how hard Government was striving to offer incentives to developers so that they would be keen to work with Government, Mr. DeVent was unequivocal.

“Developers should know, first and foremost, that as Government we have the land,” he said.

“Just like BHP (Bermuda Homes For People) came to us [for the Southside project, we also have the ability to give them huge Customs concessions and in fact, I have been approached by a number of developers with a change of heart, in that they are not just looking to get rich quick, but to approach me to say, ‘Minister, I see that you need help, that this country has challenges'. People are beginning to see finally that we all need to do this collectively.”

Premier Scott, meanwhile, concluded with a plea to both the public and the media to stop being negative about the “challenge” of providing affordable housing.

Speaking of the Southside development, he stated: “What is being afforded to Bermudians for the first time, no Government has done before.

“These aren't little ticky-tacky houses that were promised by another party in the last election. This is going to be a housing development with a marina - I don't see that in the Press - it is going to have public sector which is going to be comparable to anything that Bermudians have. The have-nots will have a slice of a waterside property, a slice of Bermuda that they haven't had before. That is what is being afforded to Bermudians now based on mixed housing development. I'd like to see that in the headlines tomorrow. Don't play the negative. Report the positive about this project.”