Elated families who won a Government housing lottery in 2005 finally got to celebrate properly this afternoon, when the first completed units at Harbour View Village were officially opened.Premier Paula Cox and National Security Minister David Burch, who is responsible for housing, cut the ribbon on Richardson's Manor, the first of four buildings to be finished at the Southside, St David's complex.The housing lottery project was launched to help Bermudians get a foot on the housing ladder, giving winners the opportunity to purchase affordable townhouses for just $199,000.The project was plagued with delays but today Ms Cox said Government and Bermuda Housing Corporation were steadfast in sticking to the promise made to the winning families.After a performance by H&H Gombeys, she told those gathered: "This is, today, a feel good factor. It's exciting, it's exhilarating, yes."She said Government could have abandoned the scheme in the face of the global economic downturn but did not."It would have been so very easy for the Minister of National Security to come to the Cabinet and say 'look, we can't do it on the same basis, the pricing model is out, we have a legitimate reason to change the rules of engagement because the bottom has fallen out of the economy'."However, not once, inside or outside Cabinet, did the Minister of National Security say that to me. He has stayed that course."Senator Burch said he was pleased to be able to prove the doubters wrong and also to "witness the provision of homes to my fellow Bermudians".He said Government didn't make the original pledge: that came from the since-collapsed Bermuda Homes for People non-profit group. But he said after assuming responsibility in 2005, it had stuck to its promise.Richardson's Manor, named after St David's Islander Hilton C "Hilly" Richardson, who set up the first school in St David's for black children, has 14 four-bedroom units. Three other buildings with smaller apartments will follow.Today's ceremony saw the ceremonial handing over of keys to new owners Kelzine Butterfield, Tanya Dyer and Mr and Mrs Lee Richardson.Ms Butterfield told Sen Burch: "Thank you for not giving up on us. You have truly made a dream come true for me. That's something I never thought I would say."