Empty schools could be utilised as temporary homes for single mothers and other emergency housing cases.

The plan to use under-utilised Government buildings comes as new Health and Family Services Minister Wayne Furbert revealed an multi-pronged attack on the country's housing crisis.

The announcement was made in the wake of protests by housing lobbies, most notably the People's Coalition for Affordable Housing, on the lack of cheap homes for Bermudians.

Mr. Furbert also said that funds have been set aside to tackle the issue of affordable housing for Bermudians -- on a long-term basis.

But immediately the Bermuda Housing Corporation is to house several dozen emergency cases in its own stock -- some within the next few days and the rest within weeks.

And there was also hope for the guest worker community struggling to find homes, Mr. Furbert said an initiative is currently being worked on that could aid that section of the community.

At a press conference yesterday. Mr. Furbert said the Government was currently exploring the use of schools such as Bishop Spencer, Woodlands and others.

They could be used as residences for single mothers, with child care facilities, and others on the bottom rung of the housing market, he said.

Other plans include putting a block on the Bermuda Housing Corporation's empty homes sales, and making those units available for rent on a temporary basis.

Up to $6 million is available for Bermudian first-time buyers through a modified BHC mortgage policy, in which they create a rental unit within their home and lease it to the corporation on a yearly basis.

"This measure not only creates additional rental units but turns more Bermudians into landlords -- everyone wins in this scheme,'' he said.

Landlords worried about rent payment and property upkeep could benefit from a rent guarantee scheme and assurances that rental units will be returned in an acceptable condition.

"People are being evicted from their homes, but the BHC are going to step in and help them out,'' he said.

In addition the BHC is to encourage owners to rent vacant homes that had been taken off the market. But Mr. Furbert admitted that they could not force landlords to rent if they did not want to and he ruled out putting a cap on the maximum rent allowed.

"If you do that then you create an availability problem,'' he said.

Extra homes will be created as the BHC uses an additional $1 million to buy homes and completes the renovation of other units.

At the former Baselands, Mr. Furbert hinted that the three bedroom homes, which are soon to be renovated as affordable housing, could be rented out as an alternative to leasing. Seniors aren't forgotten in the plans, at Southside and Morgan's Point the Bermuda Housing Trust is to develop 71 homes for pensioners -- something which the minister hopes will free up rental units.

A Government committee has been looking at the housing issue and Mr. Furbert said their aim was to map out a strategy which would provide a solution that would ease the pressure on housing.

"We have what is almost a cyclical problem in affordable and available housing,'' he said.

"I don't believe in making promises, I believe in action. These decisions will help lift part of the burden.'' GOVERNMENT GVT