Works and Engineering and Housing Ashfield DeVent flew out yesterday to look at prefab home construction in Georgia and New Brunswick.

This follows the Minister's pledge to examine all options of low cost housing to address Bermuda's critical housing needs.

He said in a statement: "We have already received preliminary design plans for one, two, three and four bedroom homes and we are going to the factories to look at the construction techniques to determine if these homes will be suitable for Bermuda."

In addition to the manufacturing process itself, the Minister will see homes at the factories in various stages of construction and in use at other locations.

The Minister, who is accompanied on the trip by Permanent Secretary Russell Wade, is scheduled to return this weekend.

Bermuda Homes for People, the body which plans to build around 100 low cost houses for sale in Southside has applied for charitable status.

Jan Spiering, who is involved with the project, said building should start early next year but he said few details could be shared until the body is incorporated.

He said: "Hopefully the organisation will be available to assist similar types of projects going forward."

Mr. Spiering, who is also chairman of the International Business Forum, said he will be trying to drum up financial support form the business community to help fund the scheme although he refused to put a figure on it until the board is properly set up.