GOVERNMENT is attempting to take credit for a housing project it had no involvement in, according to the Opposition United Bermuda Party.

Work on the Rockaway seniors housing complex in Southampton, which began in April 2006, is now nearing completion and tenants have already started moving in.

The 100-unit complex is included in a list of 550 new homes that the Progressive Labour Party has pledged to put up over the next five years.

But according to the UBP, the project was developed by the Bermuda Housing Trust, which secured funding, selected the contractor, oversaw construction and now manages the $12.5-million site. Government did donate the land for the project, and it does appoint BHT trustees but otherwise had no involvement in the complex.

Yesterday, BHT chairman Ronald Simmons (pictured) said the funding was secured through the Bank of Bermuda, which also gave a $2.5-million donation. He confirmed that Government's sole involvement was to provide the land.

Mr. Simmons added that, although the Trust had worked in conjunction with the Bermuda Housing Corporation in the past, it had recently split from the Government quango and now operated independently.

"We moved away from the BHC last August because we wanted to administer things ourselves," Mr. Simmons said.

"BHT trustees are appointed by Government on the recommendation of the Minister, but otherwise, Government's only involvement was to provide the land. We secured the funding through the HSBC Bank of Bermuda.

Premier Ewart Brown toured the facility last December, and stated that it was "living proof that when Bermudians decide to get things done, they can do it in record time".

The facility also featured prominently in a Progressive Labour Party 'Progress Report' leaflet distributed earlier this month. Asked if he believed Government was unjustified in taking credit for the project, Mr. Simmons said: "I'll leave that sort of thing to the politicians.

"I suppose it's a two-edged sword because if Government hadn't donated the land, we wouldn't have been able to build."

But last night the Opposition said Government's attempt to take credit for the project was a sign of desperation.

A party spokesman said: "The Rockaway development is a project of the Bermuda Housing Trust, a charitable organisation to provide affordable housing for seniors. Yes, the Government donated the land, but for the PLP to now take credit and score political points for housing built by an outside agency, without acknowledging the Trust, is not exactly being upfront.

"The Government's record on housing has been a disappointment for many people. It has failed to create affordable housing options and the situation has worsened over the past nine years. So it's not surprising that they're trying to claim Rockaway as their success. They're desperate, and for good reason."