until the end of next month.

And Social Services Minister Nelson Bascome has vowed to do all he can to assist the woman whose main companion is her small dog.

St. Mark's Church sent a letter to 66-year-old Telvin Simons on New Year's Eve ordering her to vacate the church property in Smith's Parish by January 31.

The church wardens and rector stated that much work needed to be done to the cottage, which has been deemed unfit to live in.

But Mrs. Simons, who shares the two-bedroom dwelling with her 26-year-old son and her Pomeranian dog "Peekaboo'', told The Royal Gazette she has no where else to go.

She also accused the church of practising hypocrisy.

"The church is supposed to be there to help people no matter who you are,'' Mrs. Simons said. "The church is there to help, not to walk over people. This is hypocrisy.'' And pointing out that she has never been late in paying the monthly rent of $1,000, she said she suspected the church wanted her out of the cottage so that they could rent it to someone else.

But St. Mark's minister Father Robert Thacker said it would be impossible for a person to live in the house while the essential and extensive renovations took place.

"We made our decision based on that understanding,'' he said earlier this month.

However, he added that it would be unfair to Mrs. Simons to comment further.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Simons -- with the help of lawyer Richard Horseman -- managed to get the church to extend her occupancy.

Mr. Horseman said he sent a letter to the church wardens and rector on January 11 and on January 19, informing them that they had not served a proper eviction notice in accordance to the law.

"I assume they received the letter because they resent Mrs. Simons the letter to quit the premises at the end of February,'' he said.

"She can therefore stay at least until the end of February. What we really need to do is get her out of there.'' Mr. Horseman added that it was unfortunate for someone Mrs. Simons' age to be in such a predicament.

Other than an offer to rent a condominium for $4,500 a month, Mrs. Simons said she had not received any news of an alternative accommodation.

She stressed that she and her son were willing to pay up to $1,500 a month.

But she was not willing to part with her dog.

"The dog is part of the family,'' Mrs. Simons said. "He's like a human being to us. I've had him for 12 years. He's very small and quiet.'' She pointed out that Social Services were willing to help her, but she would have to find the place first.

"I'm begging anybody who knows of a place to please come forward,'' Mrs.

Simons pleaded. "It is very urgent.'' Mr. Bascome said he had people in his Ministry working on the matter.

"I've known Mrs. Simons for years,'' he said. "I've housed her personally when I was with Bermuda Housing Corporation.'' He noted that the Corporation's chairperson met with Mrs. Simons on January 5 and told her they would be able to assist her. But he pointed out that the accommodations they had did not allow for dogs.

"We have told her we are willing to assist,'' he stressed. "But we, as a policy, do not accept dogs.'' Mr. Bascome added that his Ministry will continue to work with Mrs. Simons until her situation is resolved.

Fr. Thacker and the church's two wardens, Gerald Smith and Jill Moniz, declined to comment on the matter.

HOUSING HSG