Government public housing policy is in crisis

Government public housing policy is in crisis

The GSD notes that 111 people who were on the housing list before the 8 December 2011 are still awaiting the allocation of a home. The 2011 GSLP/Liberals Manifesto promised each of those 111 people a flat and the Government have failed each one of those applicants who have been waiting since the promised 2015 by the latest for an allocation.

In addition, the recent attack on Action for Housing led by Mr Pina, who together with the Group’s members have spent decades helping people to access housing is a shameful and disrespectful display and further reflects a crisis in housing. Action for Housing quite properly raised a serious question over the direct allocation of a flat which allowed an individual to jump ahead of many people on the housing list.

The Opposition have for many months now asked the Government to confirm its plans for the development of new rental homes and the Government point blank refuses to provide any further information or detail on the announcement.

Shadow Housing Minister, Elliott Phillips MP said:

“The Government continues to fail the 111 people who have been waiting for years beyond the Government’s promised date for a home. The Government are out of touch with normal working people who have been waiting many years for an allocation and when Action for Housing legitimately question why someone has jumped to the front of the queue the Minister sends a shameful rebuke to an organisation that continues to help many of our citizens with their housing problems. We call on the Government to immediately confirm when the Government intends to house the 111 people as they promised 7 years ago. We also ask the Government to set out their plans for the development of further homes for rental.