As the housing crisis tightens, Age Concern has issued a plea to landlords not to evict the Island's seniors unless it is absolutely necessary.

And the watchdog organisation said Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent has promised the Island's seniors will be included in any housing plan which is formed. Ms Fleming said at least seven elderly tenants - all more than 70 years old - had approached Age Concern in the last two weeks appealing for assistance.

In one case, she said, it was a couple in their 80s had lived in their home for their entire adult lives. She said they all had been given notice to leave their homes with notice periods ranging from two weeks to two months.

“The housing shortage is affecting seniors just as much as other Bermudians, even more,” Age Concern director Claudette Fleming said. “They are less mobile and they typically have less money. The residential rest homes are expensive and we all know they are undergoing their own challenges. And Bermuda doesn't have a large number of retirement communities.

“By kicking people out, we are making the problem worse. We don't have the solution right away. We are sending out a plea to landlords not to evict elderly people if they can absolutely avoid it.”

She said it could take as long as six months to a year for the tenants to find new homes, in part because landlords are seeking higher rents from working tenants as opposed to senior citizens who are on fixed incomes. Ms Fleming said the Minister is aware of the problem and knows seniors must be included in any housing plan which will be developed.

If landlords must evict their elderly tenants, Age Concern is encouraging them to give seniors time to find alternative arrangements.

“The answers aren't going to come tomorrow,” Ms Fleming said. “We are appealing to people's social conscience.”

n A 71-year-old man fears that he will have to start living in a tent in a public park in ten days if he cannot find anywhere to live.

A neighbour who is trying to help the St. George's man said the landlord needed to renovate the home and had given the man notice some months ago. But the man has been unable to find anywhere to live and is now facing homelessness. “I have been on the phone for two days and cannot come up with anything,” said the man, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Anyone who can help should call at 297-2642 or Age Concern at 238-7525.