Bermuda Housing Corporation yesterday hit back at a tenant evicted from the emergency housing facility at Southside who said residents there were living like refugees.

Mother-of-two Shalita Steede was taken to court, evicted and forced to stay in a guest house after falling behind in her rent.

She said she was glad to be out and that the place resembled a jail with visiting hours and a key-jangling matron.

But yesterday, deputy chairman David Burch said: ?Building 632 at Southside is an emergency housing facility which, by its nature, requires there are strict rules and regulations governing residents,? he said. ?It is communal living with strangers.

?The aim of the facility is to provide for mothers with children, who have not been able to maintain their financial commitments, and to provide them with an opportunity to reduce arrears, save some money and then move back into apartment accommodation.

?Rather than be accused of not having any compassion ? quite the opposite is the case ? it is high time people in this community accept they have the greatest responsibility for themselves and their children.

?We are here to help those who are prepared to help themselves. It is incredible to us that some of our tenants, who readily admit to irresponsibility, go to the media to point the finger at everyone else.?

He said Ms Steede moved in on April 21, 2003 and her arrears now stand at $4,830 but Ms Steede purchased a car ? after going to 632 ? and had travelled overseas this year.

She also failed to comply with money management advice and revised payment plans, he said.

?As long as a client is continuing to work along with us in making every effort to address their financial status ? paying according to agreed payment plans or revising those arrangements when appropriate ? we will not take any action,? he said.

?However, when a client continues to default, without a justifiable reason or any effort toward resolution, we have no alternative but to terminate the tenancy. This is not free housing.

?Each resident must be accountable and be working toward managing their finances in order to be suitable for transfer into permanent, rental accommodation.?

He said another tenant, in the same position as Ms Steede, had successfully renegotiated an arrangement with the BHC to prevent eviction.

?Let me be clear, we are talking here about taxpayer?s money,? he said. ?The committed volunteers, who serve on the BHC board, will not be the ones to empower the total irresponsibility of any of our tenants.

?We will continue to work with anyone, under any set of circumstances, where there is an indication that individuals accept their responsibility.?

But he said, if some people were allowed to totally evade their responsibilities, then everybody would try it and society would break down.

?May I also add, that of the 593 clients the Corporation has, 326 are in varying states of arrears. You do the maths. It is clear we are prepared to work with all our clients who are prepared to work with us.?

He said the BHC board had approved the building of a new replacement facility. The lease on the current building is due to expire in December but is likely to continue after that until a custom-built facility is established.