Bermuda has the lowest percentage of citizens who own their own homes in the developed world, a meeting heard. Only 42 percent of Bermudians own their own homes according to data discussed at the second Town Hall meeting at City Hall on Wednesday night.

A panel that included Arthur Hodgson, Sheelagh Cooper and Craig Simmons discussed the current housing issues in Bermuda and ways to tackle the problem. Many noted that it is wrong to classify the problem as a crisis because in actuality the supply of vacant dwellings on the Island surpasses the demand for them.

Former Government Minister and PLP stalwart Arthur Hodgson noted that the current rent control laws were dissuading people from viewing the housing market as an investment. He admitted that he had been a part of developing the rent control policies but said they did not appear to be benefiting Bermudians.

He added that Government needed to clarify who deserves to get assistance for housing: ?One Minister said the Government was about giving a hand up not a hand out but what?s a hand up and who gets it?? he asked.

Mr. Hodgson also said it was vital for Government to assess exactly how many people needed housing in Bermuda currently.

Mr. Simmons, who is an economic professor at the Bermuda College, characterised the current housing market as ?dysfunctional? and stated that ?social injustices are being committed? because the average price for a home is $1.2 million. He also noted that it was the younger generations feeling the brunt of it. Statistics show, he said, that approximately 70 percent of seniors owned their own homes while only about 40 percent of the general population owned their own home. He added that future home ownership schemes needed to target middle class individuals and not just people in the lowest income bracket.

Ms Cooper, who is with the Coalition for the Protection of Children and Habitat for Humanity, urged people to become involved in the Habitat for Humanity?s 21 Century Project. The project aims at eliminating homelessness by 2020. Habitat for Humanity aims at building simple, decent and affordable housing. She added that the project had funding in place but would require man power in the future. Hamilton Mayor Jay Bluck said he hoped that a new commission he had set up to investigate the possibility of putting tall apartment buildings in certain parts of the city would help ease the current situation. He added that the new urbanites living and working in the city would also bring benefits such as a reduction in commuter traffic and a more vibrant Hamilton.

He also said it was necessary to redevelop land currently being used in order to conserve open spaces for future generations. It was also suggested that land developers should look at building more smaller homes instead of one mansion.

None of the panel members blamed a particular group of people for the current housing issues but some did state that large housing allowances for expatriate workers, and Bermudian home owners willing to capitalise on that, were adding to the situation.

Mayor Bluck said Bermuda could see changes in this practice with new US tax laws regarding overseas housing allowances.

Although the panel was disappointed with the low turnout they expressed interest in holding similar events in the future to ensure proper dialogue about important issues facing the Island.