HOUSING: Ending the crisis

Every Bermudian dreams of owning their own home, but today that dream seems unreachable for many hard-working Bermudians. In fact, most people have a hard time finding an apartment they can afford to rent. And the needs of individuals and families wanting emergency housing are simply not being adequately met.

Housing issues are not new, but the failure of the PLP government to address the comprehensive housing needs of Bermudians has pushed what was a serious concern in 1998 into a full-blown crisis in 2007.

The United Bermuda Party believes that government can and should play both a direct and facilitative role in creating housing solutions and implementing them. It’s not good enough to delegate this responsibility to privatesector developers whose primary interest is profit, nor is it appropriate to give away government land to developers as an incentive. The moral responsibility to end this crisis lies squarely on government’s shoulders. And government’s housing solutions must aim to build communities, not just warehouse people.

The United Bermuda Party understands that the dual crisis of affordability and availability in housing affects everyone in our community. There is no single answer to this complex problem. That’s why our four-step approach to addressing housing focuses on short-term needs and long-term solutions.

Delivering Emergency Housing

To meet the need for emergency housing, the next United Bermuda Party government will create a permanent facility to provide transitional housing to those without homes. It will be designed to keep families together. Residents will be required to work with socialservices agencies to develop the life and work skills they need to live independently.

Building Affordable Housing

To meet the immediate need for low-cost housing, the next United Bermuda Party government will build 500 homes for affordable rental over five years.

The United Bermuda Party wants Bermudians to feel that it’s still possible to own a home. As the next government, we will work to provide new, affordable options to young people and families, particularly those trying to save for their first home. We will:

• Encourage private construction of affordable housing costing no more than $350,000 to $450,000 through tax and other incentives.
• Support construction of multipledwelling units in high-density areas and the liberalization of building height and density restrictions for special housing initiatives.
• Examine all government property from St. George’s to Somerset to identify appropriate land resources available for affordable housing.
• Work with financial institutions and developers to create innovative financing packages, including rent-to-buy schemes and reverse mortgages for seniors.
• Support the use of new modular construction technology to lower costs of new housing.
• Make affordable housing a priority in the next Bermuda Development Plan (now more than five years overdue).
• Continue the programme to renovate derelict housing.

Creating Housing Options for our Seniors

The United Bermuda Party believes that the quality of life experienced by our senior citizens should be preserved and that quality-housing alternatives should be created for seniors and others wishing to downsize. These alternatives will include continuing care retirement communities, which provide for health care services, transportation and other day-to-day needs.

Ending the Housing Crisis

Until we address the fundamental causes of Bermuda’s housing problems, we will continue to see housing shortages and housing that’s too expensive for average Bermudians. We must take a serious look at the overall causes of our housing problems, set out a range of possible solutions and work with the people of Bermuda to make the right choices for our future.