More than 140 hopefuls will pack into the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium tonight for the lottery to win the right to buy one of the 98 cut-price homes at Southside.

The vast majority of applicants appear to be single women, judging from the list published this week, which included names of just five couples and fewer than 20 men.

The draw for the $199,000 homes is set to start at 7 p.m. and will feature school choirs singing during the intermissions between draws for the various categories of houses.

There are 57 two-bedroom units, 22 three-bedroom units and 11 four-bedroom units on offer as well as eight units for seniors.

Bermuda Homes for People project director John Gaston, who has stuck with the troubled project which is a year behind schedule and not due for completion until April in 2007, said: ?It really is an exciting time, it is really finally coming together. It?s a great concept but nothing is ever easy.?

Premier Alex Scott and Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent are due to attend the draw.

Commenting on the lottery at a Press conference yesterday, Mr. Scott said it would mean ?the realisation of a dream of scores of Bermudians to own a piece of the rock?.

?The Government?s Social Agenda is based on the thesis that the have-nots will have more in the new Bermuda,? he argued.

?This is a clear demonstration of the Government delivering on its promise.?

The bargain homes in Harbourside Village at Ship?s Wharf, St. David?s are being funded from the sales of another 98 identical homes on the site.

However, those buying the cut-price homes will be subject to restrictions if they choose to sell their property.