Tenants at Elizabeth Hills said yesterday they can understand some increases in rents are necessary to reflect increases in the cost of living. But many are flat out against increases which, in some cases, will double their rents.

The Bermuda Housing Trust (BHT) has applied, through their agents the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC), to raise the rents for its 82 units on four properties throughout the Island. The BHT was originally formed to give cash-strapped seniors a place to live at rents they could afford ? well below the market price.

The BHT has cited soaring maintenance costs and seven years without rent increases as the reasons behind the increases, which they say are necessary if they are to fulfil their role ? a role which includes developing new properties for seniors.

In many instances the rents could increase by 100 percent, though the BHT said it is willing to be flexible with those who do not have the means to pay. Fully 25 percent of those living at BHT properties, the Trust has said, actually do have the means to live elsewhere.

A visit to one of the four properties, Elizabeth Hills, yesterday revealed that the rent hikes are at the forefront of everyone?s thoughts.

One woman was just coming out on her front porch to ponder how she would find the money to pay for the increase ? as well as electricity, food, medication, and telephone bills ? on a Government pension, when she was visited by

Several have signed a petition against the increases, while others said their letters protesting the move have already been sent to the Rent Commissioner.

One senior said her pension is just $300 a month and that much of it goes toward expensive medication, which is not covered by insurance. She already needs help paying for her electricity, she said, and she simply cannot afford even a tiny increase.

Another said she has put her faith in the Lord. After raising seven children and ?making do? all her life, she said, she was not worrying now, because the Lord would ?open a door?.

The BHT did have a town hall style meeting with tenants in 2003, she said, and she wondered why rents were not raised in phases ? in 2003, in 2004, and in 2005 ? to help ease tenants through the increase.

She expressed her gratitude for all the help she already receives in her life ? from people helping to hang her washing to purchasing her groceries for her. She also maintained the importance of a sense of humour in the face of adversity.

One woman said she was thinking of leaving the development, while another said that with no family ? no brothers, sisters or children left ? she had nowhere to go.

Others said they had been given no information about Financial Assistance, and wondered at the logic of Government encouraging people to go on Financial Assistance, thereby spending the money which could be used elsewhere ? such as towards the housing problem.