A new scheme to find affordable housing for battered women has taken off, Physical Abuse Centre chairman June Augustus said yesterday.

And Mrs. Augustus said she had now drawn up a set of house rules to protect anyone interested in opening up their homes to women and children fleeing violence.

Mrs. Augustus said: "I think it's going to work -- people are interested in helping out. We're very pleased with the way things are going so far.

"I didn't realise the ball would get rolling quite so quickly -- the most important thing now is to get the parties together.'' Mrs. Augustus added: "I've gotten some calls -- but I need to bring the people in so we can have some guidelines to deal with.'' She was speaking only days after issuing an appeal to help stave off an accommodation crisis for women who are in temporary havens provided by the charity.

Mrs. Augustus said the move would help women and children made homeless through no fault of their own, and provide company for people like seniors living alone.

She added that the scheme would also save taxpayers' cash because low incomes would no longer have to be topped up by Government so single parents could afford high rents.

The Centre also asked for owners of studio apartments or apartments where two or more people can share the cost to come forward.

Secret shelters run by the group currently have around seven women plus children in them -- but six to eight weeks is the norm before women move on and start a new life away from their abusive partners.

Mrs. Augustus said most of the Centre's clients had jobs -- but didn't earn enough to pay the "sky-high'' rents demanded by landlords these days.

And she warned the current housing crisis could mean the Centre having to turn away terrified women and children if a logjam developed in its temporary housing.

The guidelines include strict controls on children, a ban on alcohol and drugs and protection for a host from insurance claims in the event of the theft or damage of tenants' property.

Also spelt out in the guidelines are rules on music, a time curfew to be set by mutual agreement, and a pledge that rent will be on time.

Mrs. Augustus said: "We've tried to cover everything -- now it's a question of getting the people together and trying to match lifestyles.'' And she praised Health and Social Services Minister Nelson Bascome for backing the scheme and encouraging potential landlords to come forward.

Mrs. Augustus said: "We're very pleased that the Minister has backed this. I find him very easy to get along with and he does support any programme he feels is worthwhile.''