An affordable housing complex is to get two new blocks which will include a total of 28 three-bedroom homes, the public works minister said yesterday.Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch said the extra space at the Harbourview Village in St David’s represented a “hand up that honest, hard-working Bermudians deserve and we are happy to provide it”.He added: “This is more than housing. This project represents continuing economic empowerment — Bermudian families owning a piece of the rock.”Colonel Burch said the Bermuda Housing Corporation had a waiting list of 123 for affordable homes — but that that did not give a full picture of demand.He added: “In my opinion, it is not an accurate number. Our experience is that when Bermudians do not see an opportunity they lose hope in registering with the corporation.“I suspect, as has been in the past when we have had these sorts of announcements, people will flock to the corporation and say they really want to participate.“There are people who on a daily basis who are asking those who serve in Parliament for accommodation, and often times if you ask if they are registered at the corporation they say the don’t have any houses.”Colonel Burch said that he had given “serious thought” to a survey because people would be encouraged to take part and a more accurate figure could be recorded.He added: “Then we will really be able to plan for addressing the challenges Bermudians face in housing.”He said people on the hunt for affordable housing should register at the BHC as the Government continued to work to tackle the shortage problem.Colonel Burch added: “This announcement today is just the beginning.“There are several other plans relatively well advanced that will be announced in the not too distant future.”He said the Harbourview scheme was started by the non-profit Bermuda Homes for People, which promised to provide affordable homes for $199,000 and organised a 2005 lottery for prospective buyers.The BHP became insolvent later that same year. Colonel Burch said: “They fell into difficulties and the Government stepped in to complete that project and honour that commitment.“Of course, the cost of the project far exceeded the $199,000 purchase price and was heavily subsidised by the Government through the BHC so the original commitment was met.“Much of the criticism you hear today about government debt under the PLP administrations is for projects such as this, and for that we make no apology.”The original approval for the site gave permission for six buildings with a total of 96 units. Four buildings, with a total of 58 units, were built and opened their doors in 2011.Colonel Burch said the Government planned to construct the final two buildings, but the designs will be modified to ease the need for three-bedroom homes after a survey this year identified a need for larger properties.He added that planning permission for six buildings and the associated infrastructure was approved in 2011, which would accelerate the process.Keino Furbert-Jacobs, project manager with the BHC, added the construction of the buildings was expected to take about 18 months after the ground is broken.Colonel Burch said that he and Tinée Furbert, the area MP, had already met existing owners at Harbourview Village to talk about the expansion.He added: “Of course, the big question is how much will these units cost — certainly not $199,000, but as soon as the tendering process is completed we will have a clear indication of price.“The advantage anyone interested in participating in this project has though is that the BHC is not motivated by private developer-type profits but by developing projects that can support themselves.“Additionally, the BHC is considering a rent-to-buy option to further assist families.”