United Bermuda Party spokesman Wayne Furbert won heavy applause at the Silver Revolution conference when called for a housing allowance to be reintroduced for seniors.

He said the benefit should be administrated by the National Seniors Office rather than Financial Assistance to ensure that seniors received a sympathetic ear.

Mr. Furbert told the seniors conference at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on Saturday that his party would also draw up a long-term plan for adequate affordable housing for seniors after noting that more than 1,000 seniors were living in rental accommodation, paying an average rent of $767.

Housing was at the heart of Bermuda?s problems, said Mr. Furbert, and it should be a priority in the forthcoming Bermuda Development Plan.

His party wants to build modular houses on the 25-acre estate at Tudor Hill, Southampton.

He also pledged his party would encourage home ownership and slash death duties.

Housing activist Rodney Smith called for more help for caregivers who saved the country thousands of dollars by looking after the elderly.

He said: ?If that caregiver breaks down or falls sick what happens? They (the elderly people) have to be hospitalised.

?We need to provide services for the caregiver to ensure that the caregiver stays in good health.?

Some were working around the year and around the clock and were at breaking point, said Mr. Smith, adding that studies had called for help for caregivers years ago but nothing had been done. ?What about providing a day off for a caregiver, or financial assistance, or a small stipend for the services they provide to the community as a ?thank you???

It would be a saving compared to the $3,000 per month minimum paid to keep elderly people in rest homes, said Mr. Smith.

He too said Bermuda?s seniors were becoming increasingly powerful as they became more numerous in society.

?Thirty-seven years old is now the median age of the average Bermudian. We are one of the oldest societies in the Western hemisphere.?

He urged the conference: ?You need to stop agonising, you need to start organising.?