Minister DeSilva – Government Advancing Housing Delivery Through Action and Innovation

Housing and Municipalities

Housing remains one of the most serious challenges facing Bermuda today. For many Bermudians, this is not about politics, it is about whether they can find a safe and stable place to live.

This Government has taken a clear and deliberate approach: to increase housing supply, restore existing units, and move long-delayed developments forward, while introducing practical solutions that respond to the urgency of the situation.

That work is not theoretical. It is being executed.

Across the island, progress is being made. At Southside, long-delayed development is moving forward with new residential units advancing toward delivery. At Harmony Terrace, redevelopment is progressing in a high-demand area where additional housing is urgently needed. At Battery Road and Chelsea Apartments, units are being repaired and brought back into use, creating immediate opportunities for families in need of stable housing. At Middle Town, plans are advancing to further expand available housing.

At the same time, Bermuda Housing Corporation properties across the island are being upgraded and restored, returning units to safe, liveable condition and increasing the availability of housing stock.

These are not proposals or promises. They are active projects delivering real results for Bermudians.

Bermuda’s housing challenges will not be solved overnight. The island faces real constraints, including limited land, high construction costs, and global pressures that continue to affect supply. Despite these realities, the need for housing is immediate and requires action.

That is why the Government is advancing innovative solutions, including modular housing.

Modular construction is a practical tool that allows for faster delivery while longer-term developments are progressed. It enables the Government to respond to urgent need, reduce waiting times, and ensure that more Bermudians have access to housing when they need it, not years from now, but now.

As part of this approach, the Bermuda Housing Corporation will be appealing the Development Applications Board’s refusal of a recent application. This reflects the Government’s responsibility to consider all viable options to increase housing supply, particularly those that can deliver homes in the near term.

The benefits of modular housing are significant and cannot be overlooked, particularly given the current demand. At the same time, all developments must be carefully assessed to ensure they are appropriate for their location and aligned with planning and environmental standards.

Addressing Bermuda’s housing challenge requires urgency, but also responsibility. It requires innovation, but also careful planning. Above all, it requires a continued focus on delivery.

This Government remains focused on increasing housing supply, accelerating progress, and ensuring that more Bermudians have access to safe, stable homes.

Work will continue across the island to build, restore, and deliver housing solutions that meet both immediate and long-term needs.

Because at its core, this is not simply a policy issue. It is about people, families, and the security that comes with having a place to call home.