Two families in low cost housing units were evicted yesterday after they failed address debts owed to the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) of over $40,000.

BHC rentals manager Wendy Bassett confirmed last night that the two evictions had gone ahead as planned.

"Both were evicted today," she said. The two tenants owed $41,689.76 in back rent between them and in one case, BHC had a possession order for the property since January 2001.

Earlier this week Ms Bassett told The Royal Gazette the housing corporation had tried to be lenient with the tenants but, as arrears continued to pile up, was forced to take action.

Last night, she said BHC would continue to try and recoup its overdue rent although the families were now out of the quango's properties. One of the tenants has already agreed to come to into BHC's offices and organise a payment plan, she added.

If a suitable agreement can be established and maintained, BHC properties will be open to the delinquent tenants in the future as well.

"As long as they try to address the debt and pay on the debt, we've never turned anyone away yet," Ms Bassett said.

Meanwhile, however, BHC has made progress toward establishing payment agreements with another group of delinquent tenants.

Tomorrow the corporation is to seek possession orders for 11 properties where tenants owe a combined $96,303 in back rent.

But yesterday, Ms Bassett said some of those tenants had come to BHC to try and find alternate solutions. "Some of them are coming up with plans or have asked for time to address the debt," she said. "We'll ask for review dates to give them the opportunity to settle their accounts."

Tenants who run into financial difficulties should approach BHC about these matters before their rents fall into serious arrears, she said. Problems arise when there is no communication at all from tenants who are not keeping up their payments, she said, but generally BHC tries to work with the families to avoid eviction.

Even in the case where an eviction goes through, however, Health Minister Nelson Bascome said last night the families should not be left to flounder.

In response to concerns that single mothers were being forced on the streets with young children, Mr. Bascome said the different arms of the Ministry would try and work with the families.

"Social workers will investigate whether financial assistance is an option," he said. "And they'll see whether the family is able to go to a group home or whether the children can stay with family members.

"If there is no one who can take them in (the children), we will take them into care."

However, Mr. Bascome said these were only general options and in the case of the two tenants evicted yesterday it had not been necessary to take any children into care.