Bermuda Housing Corporation's plan to build 15 new homes a year shows Government “lacks vision” to tackle the Island's accommodation crisis, the United Bermuda Party claimed yesterday.

And it accused Government of “giving up” on the housing crisis after the Progressive Labour Party unveiled its plans this week.

Housing Minister Terry Lister announced BHC will build 15 homes a year, but 200 will be built by the public sector in total in the next four years when projects by Bermuda Land Development Company and West End Development Company are included.

Shadow Housing Minister Wayne Furbert said yesterday: “The PLP has taken a very small step to dealing with the issue of emergency housing, but quite frankly we are all disappointed that this is the best they could concoct.

“The initiative is uninspiring and lacks a clear vision. The PLP hasn't come near to addressing the housing crisis that we, and I am sure they, heard on the doorstep during the last election.

“The minister may have given up but the new UBP still believes that making home ownership attainable and affordable should be the driving force behind any long term housing strategy.”

UBP Leader Grant Gibbons added: “We came forward with a very good plan at the last election (for 1,000 square foot houses on mortgages of less than $2,000 per month), but the Government is missing the point by looking at 15 units a year that will only address a very small part of the housing crisis.

“Where have they been for the last five years? It was an issue at the previous election and an issue at the 2003 election.

“For almost six years, housing should have been an issue for the PLP and 15 units is not good enough to address the housing crisis.”

He said the UBP's election plan was “do-able” and the party “will be working in the construction industry and probably talking further down the road”.

When pressed if the UBP was pushing ahead with its election plan, he said it was not feasible because it involved tax breaks and the Opposition was not in a position to make these changes.

The UBP was on record as saying it wanted to help the PLP government out on housing, but so far Premier Alex Scott's administration had ignored the offer, said Mr. Furbert.

He said the PLP's track record on housing building included BHC's Perryville complex , which worked out at $455 a square yard, which was “unacceptable for tax-payers”.

And Mr. Furbert hit back at Mr. Lister's comments that the BHC corruption and over-payment scandal was now in the past.

“I am sure he would like to put it behind them but it is important that the issue that presents itself at BHC is brought forward so the public can feel comfortable that these things are more above board for the best interests of Bermudians.”

Auditor General Larry Dennis' report into the scandal has still not been made public because fraud detectives are still carrying out an investigation more than a year and half after starting, but The Royal Gazette published some details during the summer.