Former US President Jimmy Carter will tomorrow help launch an Island branch of a worldwide charity aimed at helping people build and own their own homes.

Mr. Carter -- on a private visit to Bermuda to visit family -- will add his weight to the drive to increase the stock of affordable housing in Bermuda through Habitat for Humanity International.

Dr. Melvin Dickinson, a gerontologist and spokesman for Habitat for Humanity Bermuda, said: "Mr. Carter is very much involved with it -- he's a key player.

"It's definitely been a help having him on board. He is involved globally dealing with this and just what he brings to the table in terms of experience will be helpful to us as we do our pilot programme.'' The move is in line with Government's ambitious social programme to increase the availability of housing for lower-income families.

Mr. Carter and wife Rosalynn jetted into Bermuda yesterday, amid tight security and flanked by Bermuda Police officers and the couple's own permanent US Secret Service detail.

The Carters chatted outside the airport to son Jack, who lives in Bermuda, and his wife Elizabeth before leaving in a taxi.

But Mr. Carter -- on the advice of his security personnel -- did not stop to talk to the Press.

Mr. Carter -- Democratic President of the US from 1976 to 1980 -- became involved with Habitat for Humanity in 1984 when he led a work group renovating an apartment block in New York.

He said recently: "We have become small players in an exciting global effort to alleviate the curse of homelessness.

"With our many new friends, we have worked to raise funds, to publicise the good work of Habitat, to recruit other volunteers, to visit overseas and even build a few houses.'' And he admitted that he got more recognition for his work for Habitat than for Presidential work like the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty signed with the then Soviet Union.

Dr. Dickinson was reluctant to reveal details of the pilot scheme in advance of tomorrow's launch -- at which Mr. Carter will speak.

But he said: "The trustees of the Habitat for Humanity of Bermuda have initiated a pilot programme that will focus on rehabilitation of existing properties.

"It will seek the assistance of churches, businesses and other organisations to identify families qualified for the programme and to provide volunteer labour.'' He added: "Habitat supports home ownership through a `hand up, not a hand out' by organising volunteer labour and providing no interest financing to qualified families.'' Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, Christian-based ecumenical movement which has built more than 90,000 houses worldwide.

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