States investigation of Alderney’s housing needs

Saturday 25 September 2021

An investigation identifying Alderney’s Housing Needs is underway in a bid to cater for young families, key workers, and the elderly and vulnerable.

Dialogue with the hospital, care home, the school and Age Concern has already begun ahead of next week’s Policy and Finance Committee which is expected to agree a mandate for a new Housing Group to develop a new policy.

The group consists of five States of Alderney members:

• Kevin Gentle, Chair of the Building and Development Control Committee
• Annie Burgess, Chair of the Economic Development Committee
• Boyd Kelly, Chair of the General Services Committee
• Ian Carter, Deputy Chair of the Policy and Finance Committee 
• Rhys Jenkins, the island’s youngest elected Member who is working on ways to help young people buy their first home on the Island.

At the States of Alderney meeting on 22 September Mr Gentle said: “We have to understand the different housing needs of islanders both now and in the future and how this housing can be provided. 

“We are looking at the roles of both the government and the private sector and will identify those matters that need to be addressed to support the actual delivery of homes.” 

Mr Gentle noted that if the problems are not addressed in the next few months, then the issue will become a lot more complex and expensive. 

The Housing Group will collaborate with the Alderney Housing Association to identify the most urgent housing needs, especially in the health, education, and hospitality sectors. 

It will also prioritise the need of first-time buyers, the problems facing young families and the elderly, and the requirements of essential and key workers and those looking to relocate on the Island.

The changing needs of an ageing demographic will need to be taken into consideration due to impacts on the requirements of social care and the suitability of the island’s housing stock.