A family activist has suggested that instead of ongoing handouts for single mothers there should be a plan of re-educating them.

In response to recent articles on homelessness, Sheelagh Cooper of the Coalition for the Protection of Children said the agencies that are there to help the low waged should join together in a plan to place people in a position so that they can become self-sufficient.

Mrs. Cooper is calling for a Task Force on Social Stability and intends to invite people from both the private, public sectors and the people that are most affected - those that are under privileged.

She wants the Task Force to look at issues such as homelessness and the effects on children who have been destabilised by their circumstances, setting a minimum wage on the Island, how women are really surviving, setting rents that single mothers can afford, classes on money management, a survey on how much it really costs to survive in Bermuda and parenting and how single mothers can become self sufficient.

Mrs. Cooper said many single mothers were earning wages of as little as $200 a week, making it impossible for them to survive.

"In order to pay rent of $2,800 a month and be above the poverty line, a person must earn at least $72,000 a year,' said Mrs. Cooper.

"These women are not able to pay their rent and they need to put in a position where they can earn enough and not need handouts from Financial Assistance.

"The Coalition for the Protection of Children agency gives 1,400 breakfasts and lunches every month to children in Bermuda's schools, who do not have enough to eat.

Mrs. Cooper is calling for classes on money management, and said: "If you do not have enough money, it will be pretty impossible to budget what you do not have.

Though she said, if they are earning enough then it helps to know how to use it wisely.

Mrs. Cooper said it was not the Government's job alone to solve the housing and social problems.

She criticised the Opposition United Bermuda Party over the fact that it raised rents at the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC), as the aim of the agency was to provide homes for the poor.

"I do not understand why the last government raised the rents, putting them in line with other rents. This forced people who were self-sufficient to go to Financial Assistance for the balance," said Mrs. Cooper.

"The found applying for Financial Assistance found it demeaning and to what end. Most people who apply are not receiving help. These tenants ended up in arrears of $20,000 to $30,000 in debt."

She blamed the Island's lack of a minimum wage as a reason for many people living in poverty.

"It allows businesses to pay their workers as little as they want, but it is impossible to work a 40-hour week and not even be able to provide for themselves."

Speaking on homelessness she said the previous definition was the indigent male.

"They were visible and an embarrassment to society, but the woman who is homeless often is not - she and her children move from place to place staying with friends and family," said Mrs. Cooper.

"This is more destructive for the children and is the cause of many of the social ills in our society today."

Mrs. Cooper said she agreed with Health Minister Nelson Bascome that there were many underlying reasons why a person may be homeless, noting that some individuals suffered from substance abuse and psychological issues, which prevented them from seeking assistance.

But she disagreed that many of the Governmental agencies help when people are on the brink of homelessness, as there are women who have been put out and are moving from pillar to post with no hope of ending the cycle of homelessness.

Government Senator David Burch said those evicted from a BHC home could be re-housed in future.

"If they repay their arrears, they can one save themselves from eviction or two if they have already been evicted they can pay the arrears and be re-housed," he said.

Financial Assistance head Olga Scott said that they can help people who are about to have their lights turned off, this is assuming that they do not get to financial assistance too late.

She said: "We have a good relation ship with the Bermuda Electric Light Company (BELCO)."

"This is assuming the person is eligible we offer a one off assistance

"We will also pay rent arrears if someone has been out of work to help minimise the effect on the family.

"This is assuming the person has no savings"

She said that Financial Assistance is there to offer the basic necessities and the aim of the agency was to make individuals self-sufficient.