The Bermuda Housing Corporation held an opening ceremony last week for a recently renovated unit at Southside in St David’s — a modest three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that underwent extensive upgrading over the past few months. A complete roof had been installed along with new electricals, plumbing fittings, cabinets and windows.

Most importantly, this particular unit was designed to accommodate persons with mobility challenges. A wide concrete path was built to and from the driveway, with specially fitted and spacious bathroom and wide doorways.

In this time, close to 15 stand-alone units have been made available to Bermudian families throughout the island:

• Eight studio units at Harmony Club

• Four two-bedroom units at Harmony Club

• Five-bedroom unit in Somerset

• Two two-bedroom units in Flatts

• One four-bedroom unit in St George’s

There are more units around the island under renovation and/or undergoing approval by the Department of Planning. As a country, we have to accept that to meet present and future housing needs we will eventually have to build more multistorey units.

Once again, thank you to the project management team at the BHC and numerous local contractors for their diligent work.

Cane grass

September and October has seen Bermuda face approximately four hurricanes and tropical storms that fortunately have brought more rain than wind. Ever thankful for free water, we cannot really complain.

Unfortunately, rain prevented our young men from getting to do some of the needed work in the community. Over the past two weeks, they have been playing catch-up with landscaping in Devonshire and Smith’s parishes.

Starting with Mary Prince Park at Devonshire Bay, they cut the grass of the northern section. Subsequently, Amon Robinson and Deszion Davis-Famous have addressed cane grass in the following areas:

• Eastern end of Vesey Street

• Devon Spring Road

• Devon Spring Lane

• Collector’s Hill

• Brighton Hill

There will be those who say that the Department of Works and Engineering should be doing this. Then there will also those who say that the Government should cut down on staff. The reality is there is no pleasing either side.

At the end of the day, there is no government entity that has all the answers to each challenge locally or nationally. It is up to respective area representatives and area residents have to come up with solutions to local issues. These are examples of what people ask for when they call for wider community engagement.

Thank you to the people of Devonshire and Smith’s for embracing our young men. It means a lot to them when persons send messages via social media or stop to speak with them. Your encouragement gives them great pride.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com