Clients of the Bermuda Housing Corporation must accept responsibility and stop treating the corporation as a “candy store”, Housing Minister Sen. David Burch said yesterday.

In a press conference updating the media on a number of housing initiatives, Sen. Burch said the BHC's mandate has been skewered over the years but change is in their air.

“Today, many clients view the Bermuda Housing Corporation as a free ‘candy store' - there to provide their every need, whim or wish,” he said.

But BHC will now be taking a hard line with difficult clients who work against the corporation's best efforts to assist them. “Neither the BHC, nor this Minister will succumb to threats, or ultimatums from those who think that we are running a ‘demand' service,” Sen. Burch said.

The new Housing Minister said those clients who threaten to go to the media with their complaints should know that BHC has a new policy and will not hesitate to discuss their cases. “We will not sit back while people put out skewed stories of their circumstances,” he said. “We will comment right back.”

Sen. Burch said people must accept responsibility for their housing situations and realise BHC can only help them if they are willing to help themselves.

“We shall no longer hold a three-bedroom apartment for you, while you decide if you are going to take it, or whether you want two, two-bedroom apartments instead,” he said.

“We shall no longer adhere to your demand that because we must find you an apartment first, you will not move from your car to a rooming house. We shall no longer keep you on the emergency list after you have decided to reject our immediate emergency solution. If you decline our attempt to house you, you cannot remain on the emergency list.

Sen Burch continued: “And, if you have previously been evicted for arrears, and made no attempt to reduce those arrears, you cannot be placed on any of our lists. As a result of these new policies, and the re-housing of several clients, I am delighted to report that our emergency list has been reduced from 169 in October to 130 as of today's date.”

Sen. Burch noted that a number of people have taken action to reduce their rental arrears and BHC will continue to work with them. “We shall happily continue to work with those clients to improve their situation so that eventually they can graduate from the Bermuda Housing Corporation back to the private sector,” he said.

And the Housing Minister hastened to point out that there is a service for those who feel they can demand housing to suit their tastes.

“It's called Rego Realty or Coldwell Banker,” he quipped.

In an effort to find emergency housing solutions as quickly as possible, Sen. Burch announced that BHC has acquired the former civil prisoners facility at Southside.

Until earlier this year, that facility - building 632 - was primarily used to hold delinquent fathers imprisoned but working on day release to pay their child care debts.

Sen. Burch said it will be used for single women and single women with children in emergency situations.

“The building will be brought on line in four phases,” he said. “Work has already begun to bring the building up to code and up to nine rooms will be available before Christmas.

“The remaining 13 rooms will become available for occupancy by the second week of January 2003,” Sen. Burch continued.

“Concurrent with the renovations being carried out for Phases One and Two, the emergency list is currently being reviewed to see whether there is any additional need for this type of accommodation.

“As a result of this building coming on-line, one of the current women's rooming houses will eventually be converted to accommodate single males. The net result of this will be a further reduction in the emergency housing list.”

Turning to other BHC matters, Sen. Burch said eight families have moved into the recently completed Shore View condominiums in Warwick and an additional four will move in next month.

Sen. Burch also said he expects to be making an announcement on the successful candidate for the position of BHC General Manager shortly.

Twenty people applied for the position formerly held by Raymonde Dill, he said, and a shortlist of five were interviewed.

Security reviews will be undertaken for seniors residences owned by the Bermuda Housing Trust, the Minister added. Work has already carried out on the Heydon Park residence and further enhancements are expected in the new year.

And the new BHC hotline is up and running. Sen. Burch noted that 12 calls were made to the hotline during its first week of operation.

The Minister also took the opportunity to praise the dedication and commitment of BHC staff.

For clients, however, his message was clear and concise: “Let me reiterate, in order for us to assist you, you must bring something to the table. A willingness to accept one's responsibility is a good place to start.”