Government needs to expand the stock of affordable housing quickly to halt the increase in the number of homeless people, an Opposition MP said yesterday.

Shadow Housing Minister Michael Dunkley said more boarding houses, affordable family accommodation and homes for first time buyers were needed and Government should amend building regulations to allow for affordable housing complexes to be constructed.

But Health and Family Services Minister Nelson Bascome said homelessness was more complicated than that.

There were many underlying reasons why a person may be homeless, including substance abuse and psychological issues, which prevented them from seeking assistance.

But he said the Ministry was working closely with local agencies, such as the Salvation Army to ensure that the needs of the homeless were being met.

Mr. Dunkley said: "The homeless problem has increased over the past few years, I am not pointing fingers at anyone as to why it is worse.

"The housing issue is a three pronged attack and we are failing on all three prongs.

"What is needed are boarding or rooming houses, small family homes and homes or apartments for first time buyers.

"I think it can happen quickly and properly and it won't take a lot of time to develop.

"The housing crunch comes in cycles and after September 11, international business boomed and we need to look at ways to beat that cycle - we need to get on comfortable ground."

Mr. Dunkley said the Salvation Army was getting help from Government and its emergency housing unit has been full for years, but it needed more assistance.

"When Ted Powell said he planned to close the Canadian Hotel and was planning to build something else there, the Government should have responded, but nothing has happened.

"People on the street need to have a couple of first stage basic places to live to alleviation the crunch - either for $25 or $50 a day. Many of the houses that are being built are for the upper middle class and we need to get houses for the first time home owners. The Government needs a stock of affordable rental properties, so that people can save to buy their first home.

"As Shadow Minister for Housing I am receiving at least two to three calls a day about residents' housing problems."

There are Government agencies and programmes in place to ensure that people on the brink of losing their homes do not find themselves on the street, Mr. Bascome said.

"We recognise that there are some individuals that have a steady job, but had issues in meeting rental payments etc., but we have various Government agencies available, such as Financial Assistance and the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC), which are actively trying to assist individuals, to avoid them from being out on the street," he said.

"But, in instances where individuals find themselves in dire straits, we have the shelter facilities available, such as the Salvation Army. And Government does work closely with that organisation to ensure that the needs are met. Yes, individuals are there at the shelter getting the services of a meal, bed and wash facilities, but we are hoping to increase that by expanding the services offered at the shelter, so that we can in some way strengthen the life skills of these individuals and transition them back into society. At present the Ministry is in talks with the Salvation Army to not only assist in improving their shelter accommodations, but also to bolster the services and provide psychological and substance abuse support.We are looking to also expand the shelter's "day-care" centre by giving those individuals daily activities and responsibilities," said Mr. Bascome.

"Government has and will continue to work hard with the Salvation Army, and other local agencies to provide the support, so that the day will come when there will be no need for anyone in Bermuda to be homeless or out on the street begging."