Bermuda's affordable housing shortage might actually be eased after long term residents are given rights to live and work here permanently, it was suggested yesterday.

Strategies developer Rodney Smith noted that a certain amount of property would be freed up by the fact that spouses of long-term guest workers will now be able to take jobs that were heretofore filled by new guest workers, who invariably need to find housing of their own. His comments were backed-up by a long-term resident, who asked not to be named, who said he welcomed the passing of the new legislation through the House of Assembly last week.

The Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 2002 will give residents of more than 20 years the rights to buy property in the mid price-range and work without having to apply for a permit.

Mr. Smith said he thought there would be some benefit coming from the fact that spouses who already have accommodation will be able to take the place of those people who are currently being brought in.

"Of course, it would all depend on exactly how many people we are talking about. But it will undoubtedly be beneficial that some of the people we need to fill jobs are already housed."

The long-term resident, who has lived on the Island for more than 35 years, said: "One would think that there was a whole sink of vast resources already here, who are already housed, that just hasn't been tapped into yet. Far from making the housing problem worse, as has been suggested by some people, it seems that this development might actually ease it."

The man said he thought it was "insane" that these spouses had not been allowed to take jobs while they were here in the years that preceded the tabling of this Bill.

"If this had been done, on a standard basis, it would probably free up hundreds of houses because the businesses wouldn't have to bring in people from overseas to do things like hairdressing or construction."

Mr. Smith, who runs the problem-solving agency Dynamic Organisation of Personal Excellence, said he criticised Bermudians for having "missed the boat" when they failed to get on board and buy a home before the Bill was tabled.

And he said Government's attempts to ease the problem by opening the field up for holders of Permanent Residence Certificates at a higher Annual Rental Value was pointless because "that is the only market segment left in Bermuda right now anyway".

However, Mr. Smith said he applauded the fact that long-term residents would now be able to buy property. He said: "These people are now my brothers and sisters and I can't argue against them any more. Before, I always argued that Bermudians should take advantage of home ownership before the opportunity opened up to others."

He added: "Now, I think there will probably be a lot of frustrated Bermudians who will find that they want to buy property but can't.

"That's because a lot of them seem to be more interested in indulging in entertainment than in making a sacrifice for the future."