The Bermuda Housing Corporation has kicked off its plan to acquire 150 new homes for affordable rent this year by applying to build four units at Broome Street, Sandys.

Housing Corporation chairman Raymonde Dill said: "The Government's Throne Speech promised 100 new homes -- with 50 this year.

"But we have set a rather more ambitious target and are planning to acquire 150 additional rental units this year from a number of sources.'' He said the Broome Street properties were a mix of two and three bed units.

But Mr. Dill said it was difficult to say if Bermuda's housing shortage would be solved if the Corporation met its target.

He said: "The waiting list grows every day faster than we can provide housing.'' But he added that if supply did outstrip demand when the 150 new homes were ready, then some houses would be sold off as the Corporation also had a mandate to increase home ownership.

Applications for new private housing also figured among the list of plans registered this week.

Businessman Kirk Kitson has applied to build nine new two-bedroom dwelling units plus a swimming pool and guard house at Lot Two in South Road, Paget.

Mr. Kitson said he hoped to eventually build a total of 20 units for executive rental at the Honey Hill site.

Alex and Betty Rech want to build a new three dwelling unit at Lot Six (A) at Mount Pleasant Road, Sandys.

And a new three bedroom house with apartment and swimming pool is planned by Chris Williams at Lot 2 on Strawberry Hill Drive in Paget. The New Testament Church of God has had an application to move to a new site further along Somerset Road, Sandys turned down.

Church member Diane Tacklyn said: "I believe we are going to fight it but the board has to meet.'' She said the church's current site at the former theatre was difficult to maintain.

But the application to build on a site opposite the Quickie Lickie laundry had been turned down by planners who were unhappy with parking plans and said it would be detrimental to agricultural land.

Raymonde Dill