Video: Minister Burch On Housing, Eviction
[Updated] Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch is holding a press update this afternoon [Aug 30] on the recent eviction as well as speaking on affordable housing issues in general. We will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video of Minister Burch is below.
Update 4.48pm: As a super simplified initial summary, Minister Burch spoke about trying to balance helping people by providing affordable housing and not allowing people to take advantage.
He said evictions from the Bermuda Housing Corporation are “rare and few and far between” but he does not “tolerate abuses of the system” as it “prevents us being able to help the next family.”
He said the person who recently was featured in the media for being evicted from the Princess Street property was in some $17,000 of arrears and the matter extended back some years.
The Minister also explained that he would not normally put people’s information in the public domain, but that since it was already in the media, he wishes to respond on behalf of BHC.
He also noted that, in total, there are 339 people in arrears “to the tune of $2.1 million, that is over a lot of years,” and explained that the people do have payment plans.
Minister Burch spoke about many other aspects, and as stated above, this is a super simplified summary. The live video just ended and we are working on transcribing some of the interview and will post a full story when able, and in the meantime, the full video is below.
Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 41-minute replay is below
When Burch speaks in this capacity, I listen. It’s the logical side of him.
But when he stomps his feet like a child and plays politics, it’s enough to make you pull your hair out.
Still do not respect him.
I will be the first to admit that I don’t always agree with Burch but I do respect the fact that he says what he means and does what he says.
Anyone taking a single penny from government should be required to do community service provided they are able to do so.
What do you and your ministerial colleagues intend to do about the national debt overhang.
Check Cayman out they have found a way to be business friendly without the hateful diatribe that happens here at home.
I can’t remmebet hearing the PLP administrations plan to control and service the national debt.
Please remind us, the taxpayers….err…your bosses!
$339 in arrears out of how many tenants? I suspect that 339 is a very high percentage of the total units owned by Government/taxpayers. Why has it been allowed to get so high? What have the management at the BHC been doing? This should not have to get as far as the Minister to kick some butt & get them to do their jobs. Some heads should roll.
If the interview and responses were by an OBA minister, I suspect the comments here would be overwhelming positive. Good job Colonel!
Nonsense.
There would be cries of racism and them hating poor people, and how they can never relate, yada, yada… You know, the usual.
But when the PLP advocates for cuts in social assistance (re: Zane Desilva earlier this year) and when people are getting evicted (see above) the responses from the talking heads is ‘Good job Colonel!’
Raving hypocrites.
Ok…so your looking at 6.1946 thousand apiece if it we’re equally shared?
Ok…this about that…put them to work as equually as possible at different positions in public service /public works etc.
And have sign off on a govt. backed loan to pay back a fixed percentage of wages every pay check…at a slightly baove percentage rate of interest on each and every one to expedite repayment and arrangement fee on the whole deal to pay for legal process and handling fee.
In this was way those in good stead do not have to suffer as well.
Thank you,
Sincerely… Colonel Angus.
HA! Good one. That ought to drive up the cost to the taxpayer even more.
It would be a loss but its a way to get work done around this island without having to hire full time employees rather than it sit there not getting paid back.