What was a ‘desperate’ situation in 2000 has improved dramatically, Senator Terry Le Main said.
And while the former Housing Committee used to see 30 hardship cases a fortnight, he says that since Christmas just one or two hardship cases have come before him.
‘We get virtually nothing now at all,’ he said.
‘There is a lot of unqualified accommodation and it is very similar standard to qualified because of the amount in the marketplace.
Landlords have had to reduce their rentals in the last six months.
If you cannot rent a two-bedroom flat it is either absolutely grotty or you are asking too much rent.
‘All the accommodation being built by the likes of Dandara for sale to people carries housing qualifications.
There is a huge market for very high-quality accommodation and local people are prepared to pay very high prices for it.
Developers like Dandara have employed hundreds and they have sold around 800 units of accommodation, all to local people.
‘I am absolutely delighted by what is happening in providing affordable homes when some unqualified residents could not even find a room before.
Now people have got a choice.
The success since I took over Housing six years ago, and since policies like the Island Plan have been introduced, is making a huge difference.’
