vacant houses at Southside available to the public.

The news came last night from Human Affairs, Development and Opportunities Minister Jerome Dill.

Mr. Dill said he spoke with Bermuda Land Development Company chief executive officer Carl Musson after taking over his new post last week.

If the idea was realised, he continued, ten percent of the housing formerly used for the US military personnel stationed at the Naval Air Station would be made available to locals.

He quickly added that he was hesitant to refer to the housing as low-cost housing, but revealed that it would be made available to people with incomes who might have previously been unable to participate in similar schemes.

Mr. Dill stressed that the plan was in the very early stages and came about from his deep concern on the issue.

"I don't like to see other Bermudians suffering,'' he said.

GOVERNMENT GVT