A home renovation charity has completed a record number of projects this year with new life breathed into 18 properties.

Habitat for Humanity of Bermuda typically works on up to 15 homes annually.

Sheelagh Cooper, its chairwoman, said: “After completing the Transformational Living Centre last year, we were facing a backlog of smaller projects that had been put on hold while we concentrated all our efforts on the shelter for homeless families.

“The TLC took Habitat the better part of two years — including planning approvals — to build.

“It was a joint venture between the Women’s Resource Centre, the Pembroke Parish Council and Habitat for Humanity, and has the capacity to house ten families.

“Thanks to the generosity of so many faithful donors and volunteers, so far this year we have completed a record 18 projects in just eight months.

“Normally we aim to complete between 12 and 15 projects a year, so this is a real record for us.”

Ms Cooper explained that projects ranged from storm damage repair to full renovations in derelict homes.

She said: “The majority of the projects assist seniors on fixed income, whose homes have deteriorated and who can’t afford the cost of repairing roofs, ceilings or rotting flooring.

“Often we are able to create apartments within homes to provide a source of revenue for the pensioner and add to the available housing stock.

“In cases like that, the homeowners sign a contract committing to continue to lease the apartment at a specified and affordable rent.”

Ms Cooper added: “Our very successful partnership with the Women’s Resource Centre and the Pembroke Parish Council has prompted our donors to encourage us to continue to develop similar partnerships.

“Following that advice, we have spent the past year in negotiations with two other entities and we are very close to announcing our new venture.”

She was tight-lipped about the next major project. Ms Cooper said: “Stay tuned.”