A charity devoted to battered women yesterday called on people to open up their homes and offer safe havens for abuse victims.

And Bermuda Physical Abuse Centre chairperson June Augustus said the plan could help solve the housing crisis -- and give elderly people some company, as well as extra income.

Mrs. Augustus added: "I think, if this takes off, it would help out both groups a lot.

"It would be a two-way street -- it will mean company for those who might be lonely living on their own and help our clients find affordable accommodation.'' And she added: "We would, of course, make sure that people are properly assessed so the right people are well-matched.'' Mrs. Augustus said the current problems with low-income earners being able to find a place to live had sparked the PAC appeal.

She explained PAC secret shelters currently had seven women plus children housed temporarily -- usually for six to eight weeks.

Charity: Open your homes to abuse victims But Mrs. Augustus said: "It's become very difficult for us to find accommodation for these women to move on because the rents are so high -- they just can't afford what the landlords are asking.

"This initiative would mean people finding homes and income for hosts, because most of the women are working, but not getting an enormous amount of money.

"And you're not able to find much in Bermuda for around $800 a month or less.

A lot of our clients have looked and can't find anything under $2,000 and there's no way they can pay that.'' Mrs. Augustus stressed the PAC clients had become homeless through no fault of their own and had often fled serious violence against them and their children.

She said: "These women and their children deserve help -- and Bermudians, on the whole, are really kind-hearted and we would really like them to let us know if they can help.'' And she pointed out that her clients often had to seek social assistance to meet high rents, but the PAC drive would cut the need for Government cash -- and the eventual bill for the taxpayer. Mrs. Augustus added that -- if the current housing problems continued -- her organisation could face having to turn terrified women away because of overcrowding of temporary accommodation.

She said: "If something is not forthcoming, we could eventually suffer from a backlog.

"We haven't reached that crisis yet and we are working very hard to make sure it doesn't come to that.'' The charity is also looking for studio apartments or apartments where two or more people can share. And Mrs. Augustus added that potential landlords need not fear the arrival of violent or aggressive former partners.

She said: "We would do all the proper assessments. These women are no longer with their partners so there shouldn't be a problem in that regard. There will be a lot of screening done to ensure we wouldn't give elderly people problems -- they don't need that at their age.

"What we want to do is sit down with people and do a proper assessment. If people want a lively person who they can do things with, like go to the movies, we will find someone compatible.'' Mrs. Augustus agreed that single parents with children often faced prejudice from landlords because of their status.

She said: "That's a problem sometimes because some of the parents -- and it certainly doesn't go for all -- let their children run wild.

"But if the child or children are controlled and disciplined there won't be that many problems. And, again, the screening process will deal with that.'' Health Minister Nelson Bascome could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Anyone who can help PAC find homes for their clients should call Mrs. Augustus or Nina Jones on 292-4366 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

See Editorial: Page 4 ABUSE HEALTH HTH