Housing standards are an issue

THE States needs to consider standards for accommodation and to enforce them much more than it has done in the past, the chief minister said yesterday.

Peter Harwood, pictured, was speaking at a debate on poverty in the island.

Health visitor and panel member Rachel Copeland said she had seen a number of families living in private rented accommodation who had problems such as fungus and mould growing, unsafe stairs and unsafe heating.

'What happens is people in poverty can't afford high rents in the private sector and they are forced into worse accommodation,' she said. 'I've seen housing in Guernsey that bears comparison to some of the worst estates in the UK. We do have a major problem with housing in the island.'

More than 150 people turned out for the debate, which was organised by the Guernsey Community Foundation.