Government has moved at a "snail-like pace" in transforming the Island's derelict buildings into affordable housing, the Island's opposition parties claim.

Too much time has passed since plans to renovate abandoned properties were first initiated, said United Bermuda Party Senator Jeanne Atherden.

Her comments followed photo essays of derelict homes that ran recently in The Royal Gazette.

The Acting Shadow Housing Minister praised Government renovations that allowed Stanley Powell's family to move into affordable housing at Two Way Lane in Pembroke in May.

However, she added: "While we are certainly pleased for the Powell family, after 12 years of talking about renovating derelict housing for Bermudian families, it's not impressive to see that the Government has finally succeeded in having only one house renovated under its derelict housing plan.

"It's hard to imagine how many lower-income and even middle class families have survived given this Government's snail-like pace in creating affordable housing."

The UBP senator added: "The PLP Government should be ashamed of its poor housing record given the length of time and taxpayers' resources it has had at its disposal since it was elected in 1998."

The Bermuda Democratic Alliance commended Government's efforts but also questioned why it had taken so long to complete some of its projects.

"I suspect that the need is great for affordable housing — and has been so for the last eight years or so. Why has it taken four years to come true on the derelict housing project?" queried BDA housing spokesman Donte Hunt.

"Why has the Southside project, which was promised to the lottery winners too long ago and far too late, taken far too long?

"This issue begs the question whether Government has a solid understanding of the housing market. Do they know what's truly needed?"

Mr. Hunt said affordable housing was no longer the top concern for Bermudians as it was in 2006 but it was still "an extremely pivotal need" for some.

"The question that remains is what actually constitutes 'affordable' and how has the affordable mark been established.

"There are many Bermudians that lament that what the Government considers affordable does not translate as a viable option. And I am sure many other Bermudians would like to know the statistics and other measures and methods that guide Government in establishing the amount of affordable housing required and more importantly at what price."

Mr. Hunt praised the rent-geared-to-income initiative which has been used for homes on Perimeter Lane in Pembroke.

"While we understand that everyone cannot own their own home, it is comforting to know that Government has the statistics and understanding of the housing market to make the right decisions for the benefit of us all."