The housing crisis has deepened to the point that Bermudians are going to loan sharks in search of rent money an Opposition politician claimed on Friday.

UBP MP Patricia Pamplin-Gordon told the House that it had been brought to her attention that at least two families have approached loan sharks after falling into arrears with the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

Ms Pamplin-Gordon expressed her shock that this "slithering belly of the underworld" even existed in Bermuda.

"I thought this was just something you heard about in the movies," she said. "But it is happening right now as we speak in Bermuda."

She called on the Ministry of Health to look into the problem, saying housing is a basic human right.

The Opposition MP made her comments following Motion to Adjourn yesterday.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome admitted he too was aware of the situation of a family turning to a loan shark after falling behind on rent on their Government home.

Mr. Bascome appealed to members of the public who are running into financial problems and falling behind on their rent to approach his Ministry and the various helping agencies associated with it before the problem goes to far.

Mr. Bascome said Ms Pamplin-Gordon and another Opposition MP had contacted him and discussed cases of two families who had fallen into arrears with the BHC.

"We're finding that a number of families wait until the last minute and allow their arrears to build," he said.

"They don't go to the resources they've been referred to through the eviction process."

Mr. Bascome said Bermuda's social assistance programmes can help those that fall into financial trouble but it is essential that the families seek help early.

"If we can identify problems early, we can get them to Financial Assistance," he said. "But not everyone wants to follow through. Some families don't want to go to Financial Assistance.

Mr. Bascome said some families - as in the case Ms Pamplin-Gordon referred to - require additional assistance with budgeting advice, parenting skills and even additional education to help them find appropriate jobs.

"I agree no one should go deal with a loan shark," he said.

If the individuals deal with the financial problems early on, he added, the problems don't become even more overwhelming.

Mr. Bascome said his Ministry is working with the family to try and help them address their finances and other issues.

"Families do have problems, that's why we are here to assist," he said.

Opposition MP Max Burgess suggested that many more families would be experiencing such problems with the current economic downturn and winter season in tourism.

Mr. Burgess said some of these people might be experiencing financial problems for the first time in their lives and embarrassment might make them reluctant to approach Financial Assistance.

"Maybe the day is gone where we sit back and wait for them to come to us," Mr. Burgess said.

However, Mr. Bascome replied that the Ministry is already taking such a pro-active approach.

Mr. Bascome said BHC social workers approach families as soon as they fall into arrears.

"At first arrears we try and talk to the family," Mr. Bascome said. "But some families don't want assistance at all and they just fall deeper and deeper into trouble."