A brand new building with affordable housing as a rooming house for five male occupants, was officially opened at 27 Beacon Hill in Sandys on Thursday.
The remodelled grade three-listed building was formally opened by Public Works Minister Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, who warned there were more people in need of affordable accommodation than those registered with the Bermuda Housing Corporation.
“It remains over 100, and I actually do not believe that’s an accurate number — there are more than that.
“I suspect that as we bring these units online, more people will recognise that we are increasing the inventory and get on the list as well,” he said
Minister of Social Development and Seniors, Tinée Furbert, cut the ribbon with the BHC Chairman Christopher Famous.
The $419,863 project, which started in November 2022, was completed by to Vision Construction, owned by Terron Thompson.
The job was finished in three phases with demolition, recovery and interior and exterior renovation.
Col Burch noted that the work came in at $60,000 over budget as the building’s roof needed replacement.
A retaining wall was also built in 2021 under a separate contract, while the electrical work was completed by Victor Thompson, and Boris Plumbing handled water.
“Significant rot and structural issues were discovered,” Colonel Burch noted, requiring the help of Westbrook Engineering,“ said the Minister.
The original two-storey, three-bedroom studio was redesigned with one bedroom and a bathroom on the first floor, with four bedrooms with bathrooms on the upper level.
The BHC found five clients for shared accommodation with management and monthly inspections.
Rooms at the facility were originally allocated to women, but the Minister said it was switched to male accommodation at the advice of BHC.
“The work of refurbishing BHC properties continues apace and I expect further occasions such as this as we progress through the remainder of this year and into 2024,” he added.
