They are there every day, part of the Parsons Road scenery along with the shrubs, hedgerow and sidewalks. But somehow they become more visible to passers-by when it rains and the cold winds blow.

Sixty-three-year-old Frederick (not his real name) is one of a group of five, sitting for hours on end under a makeshift shelter, gloomily staring at the traffic from under his dark blue, peaked cap. Occasionally a driver will honk, wave or shout some greeting.

A mason by trade, the father-of-four has been homeless 14 years, scrapping each day to pay for his Salvation Army night shelter.

"Sometimes I get the odd hustle,'' he says, his voice half-drowned by the blare of a radio from the man next to him.

"My children have all grown up and they have their own lives. I look after myself. It ain't easy.'' Like the others, the man is incensed at plans to increase from $3 to $4 the nightly shelter fee.

About six feet away an elderly woman sits on a couch. Surrounded by pieces of clothing and other odds and ends, she is apparently engrossed in a book of puzzles.

According to the others, she has been sleeping rough these past nights, unable to get a bed in the shelter.

She angrily shoos a Royal Gazette reporter and photographer away when approached for an interview.

"I'm a Bermudian. Just forget it, forget it,'' she says.

It is her plight -- along with the recent cold snap -- which has thrown a spotlight on the Parsons Road group.

Yesterday, one local resident told The Royal Gazette of his horror at seeing the homeless in the rain on Sunday morning -- a poor advert for one of the richest countries in the world. He was so outraged he complained to the Salvation Army, but claimed he got little joy.

"It's absolutely ridiculous. It's like a ghetto up there, something must be done to clean it up.

"Since Marsh Folly was closed off all traffic comes down Parsons Road from Prospect.

"I see the sight daily. It's worse than some places I've seen overseas.'' Describing himself as a concerned citizen, the man suggested the homeless should clean up their own mess.

He was also critical of the Salvation Army.

"They just passed the buck when I contacted them. The Salvation Army may say these people aren't on their property, but it's right on the main highway.'' The man also called on the Salvation Army to open up their shelters, even when they were full.

"If it was raining and cold I would lay on the floor instead of on the sidewalk.'' To the homeless, each day has a familiar pattern: Forced to leave their shelters between 8.30 a.m. and 5 p.m., they stay on or near the roadside, hoping to get money to pay for a bed.

David (not his real name) has been homeless three or four months after losing his job as a plumber.

While a room for the night cost $3, there was a $30 weekly charge for the more permanent shelters or booths, he said.

"I believe we should be allowed back in the shelters after 12 noon, because that is when the maids have finished tidying everything up.

"Currently we stay outside until we are allowed back in after 5 p.m.'' David -- who has no income, not even social assistance -- believed the shelters should be provided for free.

"I just have to rely on the odd hustle, or hope that a friend gives me a few dollars.'' "I don't want to move away from this spot because it could only land me in trouble. If I went to Court Street I would probably get mixed up in a whole load of nonsense.'' Another homeless man said: "I think they should let us do the maid's work.

"There is no reason why we can't do all the cleaning. We can even cook. That way we can pay for staying at the shelter.'' The Salvation Army's Major David Goulding, executive director of the Harbour Light Centre, said the Parsons Road homeless were on the roadside at their own choice.

"They are not on our property. We've had complaints about the garbage there, but I guess that's the City's responsibility.

"One elderly lady is an alcoholic and we don't have the facilities to treat alcoholics.

"She needs to be in an institution. We've offered to take some of the other guys in, but they are not willing to comply with rules.'' Major Goulding said there was no set rate for the permanent shelters.

"It is worked out according to their income.'' He accepted the night shelters fees were going up from $3 to $4 from December 1, but stressed this was the first rise in seven years.

Major Goulding said the shelters provided about 75 beds and over the weekend were 98 percent full.

"The reason why these people have to be out of the shelter during the day is that the same person doesn't always get the same bed. Everything has to be scrubbed. You have to look at the entire picture.'' Major Goulding was lukewarm over the offer by homeless people to clean and cook themselves.

"I'm sure their intentions are good, but there are many people who need feeding at the shelter and these things can't always be done by volunteers.'' For Frederick and David, however, a chance to earn their keep may just herald a new beginning to their lives.