The first families moved into the new low-cost Government housing at Southside two weeks ago - nearly ten months behind schedule.

Housing Minister Nelson Bascome blamed the delay on stolen fittings and said the job would be finished as soon as more equipment arrived.

He said three blocks had been completed and eight families were in but work had yet to be finished on the other apartments. Mr. Bascome told The Royal Gazette: "When the fittings arrive it shouldn't take time to finish it all."

He said there had been a learning curve which added to the delay on the $4 million project in Texas Road, which is being built by Government MP Arthur Pitcher, because of the new-style prefab building technique.

He said: "It was a new system and that had some challenges."

But he then said this method had already been used in buildings in Sandys and Hamilton Parish. The technique would cut down on mildew and dampness problems associated with traditional Bermuda building techniques said the Minister.

The project was controversial from the start with 500 residents saying they did not want low income families moving into the area. Mr. Pitcher then allegedly got into a fight with one of his own workers and a court case is pending while the handling of the project came under fire from Raymonde Dill, the now suspended Chairman of Bermuda Housing Corporation, for poor productivity, staffing problems and management problems.

Work began without a building permit, planning permission and a lease between Bermuda Housing Corporation and land owners the Bermuda Land Development Corporation.

And building had to stop following complaints that workers were seen removing asbestos in open-top trucks.

There were delays when it was found the builders did not have permission for its new-style building technique.

Shadow Housing Minister Michael Dunkley said: "We're so far behind time and over budget that its not something that should be trumpeted.

"There is still a great deal of work ahead and we are falling behind when more and more people are looking for affordable housing."

The development is set to house 17 families, down from 20 in the original plan.