their rents and former drug addicts from being thrown out in the street.

The seven bedroom complex on Union Street will be open to women only on a temporary basis as they try to reintegrate themselves into mainstream society.

The accommodation, which will be run by the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC), will feature a live-in warder and may eventually include other support services.

BHC chairman Raymonde Dill said he expects to submit an application for a similar project for men in the next few months.

Mr. Dill said the women's shelter, which is expected to open by the autumn if planning permission is granted, will provide rent cheaper than other Corporation properties as a stop-gap to ensure people are not evicted.

The building, which has been derelict for several years, will include seven single rooms with a shared kitchen and common area, which could be suitable for women with a single young child.

Mr. Dill told The Royal Gazette : "The idea, consistent with our plan, is to have alternatives to eviction or to have transition homes for people coming from rehab back to the community.

"It is also for people unable to pay their rents to catch themselves to move back into society.

"The shared accommodation, single sex, on-site caretaker facility is aimed at part of our target group who have demonstrated that they are unable to pay even our meagre rents.

"We hope they will be working and there will be a nominal rent level, more based on means, because it is a transitional place.

"Because the accommodation is shared, you have less independence of your own front door, so we've made some economies of scale.

"We have talked with other agencies and we may need to provide additional support groups aimed at bringing people through this period to productive jobs and to some sense of money management so they can pay their way.

"There is no reason to believe in terms of the intent or the impact on the area that it would result in planning withholding permission.'' Plans: Raymonde Dill DRUGS DGS