the Bermuda Housing Corporation has been launched.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome and BHC Chairman Raymonde Dill announced an advertising campaign yesterday at a press conference at the Bermuda Industrial Union.

There will also be an Open House at the BHC in its offices in the Russell Eve Building on Church Street on February 10.

Landlords can visit the BHC offices to meet with the Corporation to discuss how it can assist them in renting their property.

Mr. Dill said: "This ad campaign is designed to accomplish two aims -- one, to promote the BHC's Private Sector Rental Programme, and the other is to re-brand the Corporation as a helping agency that is seeking to provide a range of services and products that are in need throughout our community in housing.'' "We firmly believe the Private Sector Rental Programme is an important mechanism that we have at hand, that will allow us to restore some equilibrium between housing supply and demand.

"Simply put, the programme allows the potential landlord to participate in the rental market while allowing the Corporation to assume most of the risk,'' Mr. Dill concluded. "We consider the Private Sector Rental Programme a user-friendly alternative.'' A 60-second radio and television ad, `Peace of Mind' premiered last night and print ads will begin appearing soon highlighting the ways a landlord can use the programme to get their property fixed up and rented.

Mr. Dill explained: "We are well aware and recognise the issues of affordability and we are trying to get the landlords to recognise the issue.

"We process in excess of 100 applications at the present time. Some are less urgent than others but the common denominator is that there are generally 100 families that are finding it difficult to come across affordable housing.''