Good Afternoon, Deputy Premier; Chair of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, MP Chris Famous; Bermuda Housing Corporation board member, MP Emily Gail Dill; former Minister, Lt. Col David Burch; Bermuda Housing Corporation CEO and General Manager Paul Martin; Area Candidate Dawn Simmons; members of the media and the people of Bermuda.

In our 2020 election platform, the Government committed to increasing the stock of affordable housing available to Bermudians. Following that pledge, I paid my first visit to Harmony Hall in 2022, where I saw the very beginning of these critical renovations. Just over a year later, in September 2023, I returned to participate in the first ribbon-cutting ceremony, where we unveiled eight new affordable studio units. 

The eight units we unveiled that day were a part of a record $15 million investment by this Government into the Bermuda Housing Corporation that brought 71 more affordable housing units online. In our 2025 election manifesto, the Government promised that we would continue that record investment and take Urgent Action to Provide More Affordable Housing for Bermudians.  

That is why I am proud to be back at Harmony Hall with everyone today, specifically Harmony Terrace East, as we officially open 12 more affordable housing units that this Government is delivering for the people of Bermuda. 

Today is not just about the physical structures that we will see. As the BHC CEO and General Manager said, it is about people, families, and a Government that recognises that everyone deserves access to safe, stable, and affordable housing and is making the investment necessary to make that a reality for more Bermudians. 

I want to thank the Deputy Premier and his team, the Chair of BHC, MP Famous, board members, BHC staff led by CEO Paul Martin, and the BHC team for their hard work. Of course, this opening would not be possible without the contractors and tradesmen working tirelessly on these extensive renovations. 

Our work is not yet done; as you will hear from the Deputy Premier and Minister for Housing, more units are on the way here at Harmony Hall and throughout the island. Today is July 2nd. Yesterday was the first day of the new budget, and that new budget committed an additional $4.2 million to affordable housing. 

The investment is being made, the work is being done. I look forward to joining the Deputy Premier and the BHC board and staff at more ribbon cuttings in the near future. 

Thank you.