One of Bermuda's most famous drug treatment centres could be granted a new home as early as today.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome is already in negotiations with the owners of an unidentified building which could be the new base for His House.

The rehabilitation unit's counsellors and residents have faced being kicked out of their Hamilton Parish home for several weeks.

They were forced to look for new accommodation when the owner of their present building decided to rent out the property.

Mr. Bascome, a former drug counsellor himself, said on Friday night: "They have not been evicted yet -- they are still in their current location.

"But hopefully a new home will be found for them very soon. I'm having a meeting with some people on Monday and, if all goes well, they could provide a new base for His House.

"We are looking at some other options as well but we, as a Government, are trying to get the whole thing sorted out as quickly as possible.'' His House Ministries Director Christine Atcheson won an extension on the Christian-based centre's lease earlier this month.

But the current crop of clients have still been warned to pack their bags and prepare for an eviction unless a new home can be found.

His House staff were warned to find a new base when their landlady fielded complaints from anxious neighbours who wanted the centre to close.

They claimed "addicts'' were making a nuisance playing bas ketball in the afternoons.

Neighbours also claimed the unnamed landlady should rent out the building to support her retirement income after six years of providing free accommodation for His House residents.

But Mrs. Atcheson warned clients could fall back into a life of drugs unless a new home could be found.

Nelson Bascome: Hopeful Graphic file name: NELBASC