Government's report on its first 500 days in power.

The report said more than 100 families in urgent need had been housed and 60 others had been assisted to become homeowners.

"In addition, through the Bermuda Housing Corporation, the Ministry has begun work on the construction of two and three-bedroom rental units for low income families,'' it continued.

"Planning approval for 27 units has been awarded and a further 36 units are awaiting approval. Site preparations have begun at Southside and eight other locations.'' The report added that it was planned to renovate more than 150 vacant or derelict houses for rent in a joint venture with private sector owners.

"Agreements have been reached with the owners of 100 units. To date, nine units have been renovated and handed over the BHC rental division and 91 additional units are expected to be made available over the course of the next nine to 12 months.

"Negotiations are ongoing with the owners of 28 of the remaining 54 units.'' The report said that BHC had also started a work programme which drew from its own tenants.

"Using its own building and maintenance projects, it provides employment opportunities in the building and maintenance trades to unemployed persons in its client pool,'' said the report.

Copies of the 20-page report are now being delivered by the Post Office to every home in Bermuda.

Last night a spokeswoman for Information Services, which produced the document, was unable to say how much the give-away was costing.

She said: "It's to all households. I think there are around 30,000, roughly.

I'm not quite sure how much it will cost. I don't know the exact figures.'' Elsewhere in the report, the section on Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety revealed that the work permit section is to be split into three sections -- international business and financial services, the service industry and others. The teams will also concentrate on policy development, including training and matching Bermudians to jobs, as well as assisting in developing education and training packages.

The new set-up is expected to be up and running by the autumn.

The report added that Airport Immigration officers, released through greater use of automation, will be used to undertake investigations into work permit violations.

The report said that -- in a bid to close Bermuda off to crime -- a top Immigration officer has been given special training in the UK.

The document added that a senior UK Immigration officer will arrive in Bermuda in October to boost skills.

"A senior immigration officer from the United Kingdom will spend two or three months in Bermuda helping the Assistant Chief Immigration Officers train Immigration officers at the airport and in Hamilton in the latest methods and techniques of Immigration port clearance and intelligence gathering.

Immigration officers have been given training, jointly with Police and Customs, in FBI techniques for intelligence gathering and nationality training provided by a representative of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.'' HOUSING HSG