to take their battle to Parliament.

The protest, planned at last night's Government Housing Tenants Meeting, will be held outside the House of Assembly on February 6 -- the day MPs are back in session.

Tenants' representatives are meeting with Bermuda Housing Corporation chiefs every week in a bid to stave off rent increases and land tax.

Tenants' spokesman Lou Matthews revealed that the group wanted to set up a residents' response team for dealing with the housing corporation.

And he called on the BHC to set up a special hotline for residents who want to report damage.

Mr. Matthews told a 30-strong audience at the Bermuda Industrial Union: "We will keep pushing until we get affordable housing which is safe and decent.'' Government housing tenants and private sector tenants on the affordable housing programme have agreed to pay up to 25 percent of their income in rents to the BHC, with the balance being met by the corporation.

Tenants' chairman Kim Tucker said: "We want to organise a peaceful demonstration outside the House of Assembly on February 6, when Parliament reconvenes.

"We could also hold an outside meeting or a rally in the park. We need to show the people that this affects a lot of us and we are serious.'' GOVERNMENT GVT