My name is Melissa and I have called my current house a home for over four decades. My heart aches at the thought that at a certain point in my life, when my mom passes on, I might find myself without shelter, the very roof that blankets me with priceless memories. After my father passed away, my mother remains the sole anchor, yet when she is no longer with us, I face an insurmountable barrier: a fee exceeding a hundred thousand dollars to keep the house within my family.

This financial burden is not unique to me but affects many Bermudians who risk losing their homes due to inheritance transfer fees. These fees are levied when a property is transferred to heirs, often forcing people to sell their cherished homes simply to afford the levy. The fear and anxiety of impending homelessness are real and present for countless others like me.

In Bermuda, where housing prices are already among the highest globally, these additional fees make homeownership, particularly of family legacy homes, an unreachable dream for many. According to the Bermuda Government's official data, housing prices have soared consistently, leaving families at a crossroads.

The solution is clear and actionable: the Bermuda Government must eliminate these inheritance transfer fees to safeguard families’ rights to remain in their homes. By doing this, the government will preserve essential community fabric and offer generational stability to its people.

Other jurisdictions have successfully removed such fees to support family continuity and prevent homelessness. Bermuda has the chance to lead as a progressive community that values its citizens’ well-being above fiscal gain.

Join me in urging the Bermuda Government to eliminate these fees and secure our homes’ futures. Sign this petition to make a difference, ensuring that no one faces homelessness due to familial inheritance. Your support can transform worry into peace, and uncertainty into stability for many Bermudian families. Together, we can safeguard our homes, our stories, and our legacies for generations to come. Please add your signature to this vital cause.