Almost 100 protesters took to the streets of Hamilton yesterday demanding that Government provide all Bermudians with affordable housing so parents no longer have to raise their children in cars, tents and caves.

Families United In Action marched along Front Street armed with posters and loudspeakers as they called on Government to provide "a real social agenda" for the countless Bermudians struggling to find an affordable place to raise their family.

Premier Alex Scott came out of the Cabinet Office to hear the statement read by FUA president Terri Bascome as she asked for real results and challenged Government to house 20 families by September.

To the angry cries of "find us a house now" and "stop the landlord abuse" Mr. Scott and Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent made a commitment to house 20 families in two months, telling the protesters that modular homes were already on the Island and two were waiting to be constructed.

Three more of the portable homes are due to arrive, but Mr. DeVent would not comment on where they would be located.

Ministers, including Health Minister Patrice Minors and Minister without Portfolio Walter Lister and members of the Opposition United Bermuda Party including Shadow Housing Minister Wayne Furbert and Opposition Senate Leader Kim Swan marched along Front Street with the protesters who carried signs reading, "Bermuda's Children Deserve Adequate Housing" and "Weekly $350, monthly rent $3,000 ? you do the math."

Ms Bascome said Bermuda was one of the world's richest countries and families should not be locked out of the rental market which seemed to cater to single expatriate workers.

She said the FUA would march every week if they had to until it saw some real results from Government.

"This is a call for change. We must address all areas to ensure we develop sustainable solutions. We have to empower people to move above the poverty line and not simply provide band aid solutions. This is an issue which affects us all, this is an agenda which prioritises our basic human rights it prioritises affordable housing and the rights of all our Bermudian people," said Ms Bascome as her statement met cheers of support from the crowd.

She said hard working people were steps away from severe financial hardship.

"We come here not only with concerns and to express our frustration but with recommendations and hopes for our future," said Ms Bascome.

Mr. DeVent said he had just completed an affordable housing study and was doing everything he could to meet the demand.

"I am really aware of the issue and will do what I can to build houses, I am committed to building houses which are affordable. We are aware of the problem and I will do all I can to assist every Bermudian."

Ms Bascome said Government could take steps to end the cycle of poverty by addressing the issues behind affordable housing ? including labour and training, education and immigration issues. She suggested Government coordinate the services and programmes of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, Financial Assistance, and the Department of Child & Family Services, and end refusal of financial assistance to the homeless.

The FUA's strategy also included increasing the supply, increasing incentives for building units and their heights and providing incentives for private developers to take on affordable housing projects.

"There is time for people and the Government to acknowledge the poverty that exists in this country, we must be proactive in voicing concerns and demanding action," said Ms Bascome. "We are not blaming Government ? we would like to see results. A lot of people out here are homeless now, we have children here, we have children being taken away from their mothers and fathers. There is separation and this is why the angry people in the background are shouting out."

Mr. Scott said he appreciated the march but warned the protesters against allowing themselves to be "used" politically.

"You don't want politics to get in the way ? keep yourselves and your concerns paramount," he said, telling the protesters to identify themselves so Government was aware of their needs and their situation.

"Government is aware that there are poor in Bermuda and we are working to change that," said Mr. Scott. "Should we do more? Of course we should, have we done enough, no we haven't. I think both Ministers will underscore the steps we are taking. One thing I want you to be aware of is we do care, we are working on it, the fact we haven't been able to eradicate poverty in Bermuda should not come as a surprise to you, but we are working to make the commitment that no Bermudian should be under the stars or suffer the indignity of being poor in a country which has much."

Several protesters were not so receptive to the Premier's message with one woman shouting out that people were sleeping in graveyards and people were tired of "all talk and no action" asking him if he had ever slept in a tent or in a car.

Mrs. Minors, who joined the march at Albouy's Point, said she would be working with the organisation to gather statistics of people who are in need.

"I spoke with the organiser before the march started, I wanted her to know my presence was there to show support, this is not about politicising, I do indeed care and this Government cares," she said. "We are moving forward to address the issue, we will not address it all at one time, but we are committed to staying the course and addressing challenges along the way."

In an emotional speech, Sen. Swan told the crowd he was outraged with the Premier's message.

"I joined them because these are people who have stood up and said enough is enough. Legislators are supposed to be available to people who hear their cries. As a legislator it is my duty to be a vehicle to hear their concerns and work to respond to people who are hurting now."

Protesters Charlita Campbell and Tanesha Gilbert said they appreciated Government's words but they wanted to see some action. Ms Campbell, whose home burned down in May, is struggling to find a place to live where she can raise her children ? a struggle which she believes those in Bermuda's political circles have yet to understand as a reality.

"He knows we are going through a crisis, we are working parents and what he had to say was not an answer. We are giving him two months, we're giving him some time but most of us need a place to live now."

Ms Gilbert, who lives at the Southside Women's shelter, said she is struggling to find an apartment of her own in which to raise her three children, is paying $540 a month for a room. She said one of her sons is asthmatic and is also a special needs child and she is struggling to put some money away to provide for his special needs.

"I need to be close to Hamilton so I can get my son to the hospital if he has an asthma attack. I'm not one of these people who is playing around or going out clubbing, I go to work, and I go home to take care of my son, I just want to find a place for us to be together."