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Shocked by high levels of overcrowding I saw
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From Keith Shaw.
THE report by Andy Sibcy (JEP, 20 January) referred to overcrowding in 15% of ‘unqualified’ households as reported in the 2011 Census.
The article went on to provide quotes from the Housing Minister and a local charity, about both overcrowding as well as the poor quality of some properties.
Jersey has had high levels of exceedingly poor quality housing in both the private and public sectors for many years, but does not appear to have had the motivation or the interest to deal with the issue. Now the excuse is likely to be the lack of funds.
The problems that have existed for decades are well known and are inevitably getting worse and must not be ignored any longer.
The suggestion of providing more residential property to buy will never solve the problem – it will only get much worse if not addressed properly now.
Simple and effective controls over maximum occupancy levels and minimum levels of quality are desperately needed.
It was quite pathetic to read that the only means of determining ‘overcrowding’ was by using the recent census and the UK’s 2003 ‘Bedroom Standard’.
Doesn’t the Housing Department know how many flats and houses exist in the Island and how many people live there?
Surely in this day and age it could be considered criminally negligent for the Housing Department to allow people to live in either unsafe or unhealthy premises.
Every single residential property in the Island should be registered with specific maximum occupancy levels and minimum standards, and be inspected regularly.
Last year during my unsuccessful campaign trail in St Helier’s No.1 District, most of my time was spent talking to people about their concerns and their problems, and accommodation was the top of many peoples list of concerns.
I was shocked to see what I considered to be high levels of overcrowding and also surprised at the level of apparently inaccurate information about who was actually living in some States and private properties.
If it is correct that Guernsey has a scheme that links employment to bona fide accommodation; which should allow better control over minimum standards – is there any valid reason why Jersey could not do likewise?
We do not need to re-invent the wheel, if there is a good scheme working elsewhere, and it does appear that there is a growing mood to work closer together with our neighbours.
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