A homeless man is urging Government to set up a think tank to find long-term solutions to Bermuda's homelessness problem.

And Walter Howes says "out of touch" Premier Ewart Brown and Cabinet members should spend time sleeping rough themselves so they can see what life is really like for people with no homes of their own.

Mr. Howes would be prepared to sit on a homeless commission, which he says could also include politicians and representatives from the Salvation Army and Government's Mirrors scheme.

He says lack of consultation with the homeless was one of the major reasons people were upset when the Premier controversially closed the Medical Clinic last year.

Other issues include the creation of new facilities and affordable homes and rehabilitation programmes for offenders.

And he would like the Premier to outline what strategies are in place to improve life for the several hundred homeless people on the Island.

Mr. Howes claims to have been thwarted by bureaucracy in his efforts to set up a face-to-face meeting with Dr. Brown to discuss his concerns.

"Politicians have got to understand that whether people vote for you or not, once you are Government, you are Government of Bermuda, not your friends.

"I want to know what strategies they have got in place for the homeless.

"They have got to sit down, have a think tank, and find a solution for Bermuda that would work — health care, new facilities, apartment complexes and everything else.

"Are they prepared to spend the time and sit down with us? The Premier and Ministers should go out there and dress up as homeless and see what people say to you.

"They would learn the lesson. You have to evaluate; you can't rely on what people tell you.

"You get out there and you do it yourself, to actually rub shoulders with people.

"I'm not looking to be an advocate for the homeless or anything like that, but all the governments, from the UBP down, have been out of touch."