Created: Oct 22, 2023 08:00 AM
A cut above: government MP Christopher Famous and Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, officially open the property (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
The Government’s inventory of affordable housing has increased following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a newly-renovated property in St George yesterday.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom project on Rock Oven Lane has taken less than ten months to complete and features special-access features.
At today’s ceremony, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, praised the Bermuda Housing Corporation and construction crews who had totally transformed the cottage.
Colonel Burch said: “The work commenced in January this year with the scope of works including roughing in both plumbing and electrical, pouring a concrete floor, installing new windows and doors and interior framing and roof repairs.
“However, due to the discovery of extensive termite infestation and dry rot damage, the BHC project manager opted to re-engineer a new gable roof system with a lower pitch roof.”
The minister said that, following discussions with the Government’s Support Services Department, it was decided to remodel the property as an accessible unit.
Colonel Burch said that the decision had driven up costs — the final price tag for the rebuild came in at a slightly over-budget at $305,000 — but that the ends result justified the extra expenditure.
“This government is committed to meeting the needs of the community, and in our 2020 election platform, promised to create inclusion in our society for the differently abled by designing and constructing accessible units,” he said.
“Whilst slightly over budget, we are pleased to offer this unit to a deserving family to make it a comfortable home.”
The minister also noted that completion took longer than expected because of several glitches.
He said: “We experienced delays in material procurement and shipping to Bermuda. The availability of concrete combined with the weather challenges also hampered the timeline.
“In an effort to ensure the project was not delayed any further, the contractor provided manual labour to pour the concrete required for the ramp.”
Colonel Burch said that the affordable housing projects had a double benefit by also giving a boost to the local construction industry.
He said: “The Progressive Labour Party pledged to ensure that Bermudians have access to good and stable jobs. This has been achieved by hiring local contractors, plumbers, and electricians for this project. I thank them all for their outstanding work which we shall shortly see.
“This project provides evidence of the Government’s commitment to increase building activity, accessibility and adequate housing.
“All the hard work of the Bermuda Housing Corporation Board and staff over the last five years is put on full display at occasions like this — the conclusion of a project.
“As you will have seen over the last several weeks, projects are coming to conclusion and our people are being housed.
“We continually have projects in various stages of renovation, so you can expect that we will have more occasions such as this going forward.
“We are not finished yet — with a wait list of 129 — our commitment to providing affordable housing is resolute and we will not stop until the problem is solved.”
Colonel Burch also praised Keino Furbert-Jacobs, BHC’s project manager, who oversaw the headed up the renovations.
“I wish to thank him for this excellent work — we are fortunate to have his knowledge and expertise in this industry to deliver the quality of work we witness today,” he said.
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