Desperately Seeking Solution

The more new Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent opens his mouth, the more I worry that the PLP have no ideas whatsoever for tackling Bermuda's affordable housing crisis.

The problem was in the news again yesterday following the announcement that a Warwick home has come onto the rental market for a cool $32,500 per month. Granted it's recently rennovated, with 8,200 square feet of living space, five bedrooms and bathrooms, a swimming pool, manicured grounds, rose garden and views of the Great Sound. But it's a slap in the face to most Bermudians, many of whom struggle to pay the $2,000 to $3,000 rents which are typical for a small apartment here.

And the Minister's response? That high rental prices are an unfortunate fact of Bermuda life and the fault of greedy landlords. "It saddens me to see that the dollar is the bottom line," Mr. DeVent said.

We need more from our Housing Minister than public breast-beating about the capitalist society in which we live. We need solutions. It saddens me that after five years in office the PLP Government still doesn't seem to have any.

Comments

[JJ on 12.02.04 at 11:20]

At least they are now blaming the greedy landlords and no the peskie ex-pats for pushing up the rents! Some improvement.

[big bad wolf on 12.02.04 at 18:36]

Yep the PLP housing stategy is a simple matter of directing homeless Bermudians to the Outdoor living Centre.This clever strategy has basically solved Bermuda's housing problems."Hello Bluebird can I share your tree?"

[Lizardfish on 13.02.04 at 08:33]

Holy cookie monster! That is a ridiculous price for renting a house. I had no idea that it could be that pricey. Where are these land lords who ask this price? I want to meet them. Can you imagine getting that amount every month for doing absolutely nothing at all? I really do hope they are going to give some of this easy money to charity, but it is likely they are saving up for a private jet...... thieving property owning bastards (can I say that?).

Can the government set a maximum rent? Or, tax any rent over $10,000 or something? What are the solutions to this problem? Can we prevent HUGE houses like this from continually being built?

[Somers on 13.02.04 at 09:18]

Lizard,
If you wanted to prevent houses like these being built you would have had to go back a few decades... Ihat house has been there for a while. I have noticed that the property has recently had a face lift, with all new cedar windows being put in from what I can see. Pretty penny if you ask me.
Plus, what's the problem with someone asking $32500 for a rental? Its a free country, with an open market... If they invested the money, than they should try to get some return. Keep in mind this house is not your average neighborhood house with the Jones' living in it. The next door property is an island, that has been on the market for a few years. Rumored to be around 5-7 million in price? But than you get your own island, and not just a penisula... Cest La vie.

[Bill Akin on 16.02.04 at 02:23]

Windsong House, at least the central part was built in the late 1700s. It is also for sale price on request. If you need to ask.......! Can have a peek at the Property Group website.
Regards, Bill

[colleen on 18.02.04 at 11:03]

Ok, I know this isn't the forum for this but I thought I would try anyway. I added my input a few months back about being a tourist in bermuda and also wrote that I was seeking employment. Well I have finally gotten a job and I am awaiting the work permit to work at the hospital. I am a SG lover and want to live in SG, so I would like to put out feelers or get some suggestions on finding accomodation. I have a lot of friends looking but thought the more people I tell the better. Any suggestions or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.