Housing: Ministers are still ‘trying to define affordable’

Deputy Kristina Moore Picture: ROB CURRIE. (35176932)

THE Chief Minister has said her government is ‘trying to define’ what ‘affordable’ housing means.

Deputy Kristina Moore’s comments came as she was quizzed on the number of affordable homes being delivered at the Waterfront and South Hill developments, where a minimum of 15% of those on offer will be classed as ‘affordable’ for Islanders.

Deputy Moore was among the States Members who voted for the proportion of affordable properties at these developments to be raised to 30%, but this was defeated. She said she still stood by her voting record, when asked by Deputy Sam Mézec yesterday.

Responding to a supplementary question from Deputy Rob Ward, Deputy Moore said: ‘The affordable definition is something we are trying to define. I would look to the Andium home-buyer scheme and I’m really pleased with the progress they’ve been able to make.’

She argued that the government had ‘made it clear that we need more affordable housing. We have identified the site at St Saviour’s Hospital for key workers’.

Deputy Moore said that housing remained a headline priority of major importance for the government.

‘We have identified sites which are suitable for affordable housing – Andium is assisting us in addressing that. We are looking at other sites,’ she said.

In October, Housing Minister David Warr described the release of 63 new first-time-buyer homes in St Helier offered an ‘affordable’ opportunity to get on the property ladder, despite them being sold for a minimum of £370,000. He admitted that Islanders might also have to rely on the ‘bank of mum and dad’ in order to afford their first home in Jersey.

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