BHC Mission Statement:
“TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBILITY TO ADEQUATE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENT LIVING TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN BERMUDA.”
BHC Vision Statement:
“EVERY BERMUDIAN WILL RESIDE IN AN ADEQUATE AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT.”
History of Bermuda Housing Corporation
1974
The Beginning
The Corporation was established in 1974 with the appointment of its first Board of Directors led by Chairman Commander Geoffrey Kitson, R.N. (ret.) and Mr. Leslie H. Cock, F.R.I.C., General Manager. Above you will see the first staff members which include (from left to right) J.P. Chiappa, Jr. Accountant, Miss Sheryan Talbot, Receptionist, L. H. Cock, General Manager, Mrs. Enid Frederiksen, Secretary, and Charles J. Lee, Assistant to General Manager.
1975
First Annual Report
In 1975 BHC produced their first Annual Report. The document describes some of the major projects completed which include constructing 150 units in the Prospect and Cedar Park areas which were to be sold with 99 year leaseholds and 25 year mortgages.
1980
Bermuda Housing Act
In 1980, the Bermuda Government had passed the Bermuda Housing Act to ensure the Ministry has sufficient oversight and funds allocated toward assisting with housing.
1984
10 Year Mark
So far, the BHC had approved mortgage funds for a total of 163 projects – 40 of which were completed, 66 were underway, and 57 not yet started. Above is the aerial photo of Devon Springs development.
1990
Housing Information System
In 1990, BHC had started working on the Housing Information System to survey current market rents and monitor trends on a regular basis. At the time, there were over 30 rental applications per month and 10 applications per month from those wishing to purchase a home.
2000
100 Homes Project
BHC had started the 100 Homes Project to alleviate the urgency of those in need, where the private sector were not focused on the lower end of the market. In early 2000, affordable housing was listed as the number 1 item of concerns at that time as many citizens were resorting to sleeping in caves, cars and abandoned buildings.
2007
HUSTLE Truck
The Hustle Truck programme, acronym for “Helping the Unemployed Sustain Themselves with Limited Employment” (H.U.S.T.L.E.) was birthed Thursday, April 5th, 2007 by contracting 8 young men and women of Middletown to paint over graffiti on walls of BHC’s property in Middletown.
2008
Loughlands
Between 2008 – 2011 the Bermuda Housing Corporation facilitated, through four phases, 60 plus families becoming first time homeowners in a brand new condominium community in Paget. New owners proclaimed “I now have hope again” following the successful sale of the 96 unit development.
2010
Rent Geared to Income (RGI)
In 2010, BHC had successfully completed the Rent Geared to Income (RGI) initiative, in an effort to ease the financial burdens on Bermudian families, on behalf of the Bermuda Government. This gives real relief to clients by assisting them with requested payment of only 35% of their combined household income to be paid to the Corporation as rent. Part of this program includes a mandatory 10% savings portion of the monthly household income to guide clients into positive saving habits.
Perimeter Lane
The 3 year development of Perimeter Lane, located in Pembroke, was finished and made available in July 2010 with 38 units – 12 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom and ten three-bedroom units.