Government has claimed its tense stand-off with Hope Homes is at an end after confirming the relocation of the mentally challenged residents to a newly refurbished premises in the West End.

At a Press conference yesterday, Health Minister Patrice Minors said she was pleased to announce the resolution of what has been "a sensitive issue", heralding the relocation from temporary premises in Dockyard as "a step in the right direction".

Hope Homes ran into severe difficulty three years ago when their headquarters on Brunswick Street was condemned, forcing the Government to step in and move the residents to Dockyard's Lefroy House.

The confrontation arose after the charity publicly blamed Government for its difficulties, accusing it of withholding money in the past which prevented their building from being regularly maintained.

While renovations at the dilapidated Brunswick Street headquarters are reportedly ongoing, without Government funding, and are entirely the responsibility of the Hope Homes board, the residents have now been incorporated into a programme administered by St. Brendan's hospital.

"Our main concern has always been to ensure that the residents of Hope Homes receive appropriate care and that their living conditions are not below the standards our Ministry sets for all care facilities in Bermuda," Mrs. Minors said.

"This move is the result of much collaboration and cooperation between the Ministry of Health and Family Services, Works and Engineering and Housing, WEDCO, Financial Assistance, St. Brendan's and Hope Homes. Although we may have approached this from different perspectives, all of us remain committed to the best interests and well-being of the residents."

The new units in the West End, Mrs. Minors continued, will be operated by St. Brendan's as part of their "well established network of community group homes".

"This scheme is supported with funds from [fundraising group Project 100 and has proven to be most successful in meeting the requirements of our special needs persons," she said.

"I am happy that now the residents of Hope Homes will have access to the extensive range of programmes, facilities and vocational activities offered through this scheme by the care team at St. Brendan's.

Many of the residents are able to work at various jobs in the community "and they will continue to do so", while they will also participate in a number of vocational programmes.

"I am as excited about this move as the residents," she said. "I am told they were full of smiles as they travelled to their new home this morning. This in itself convinces me that our decision was a correct one.

"The best thing about this move is that the residents will remain together and keep their identity as the family into which they have developed over the years."

The Minister concluded by paying tribute to the contribution of Hope Homes founder Ellen Douglas, lavishing praise on her life-long dedication to the mentally challenged.