We can't force developers to build homes, says Housing minister

HOUSING cannot force private developers to build new homes, the department has said.

Minister Dave Jones said it was one of a number of issues which had created a lack of affordable housing in the island.

The States committed to the creation of 300 new homes every year as part of the approval of Environment's Strategic Land Use Plan in 2011 and recommendations from the Housing Needs Survey.

Deputy Jones said the target related to planning approval.

'The Environment Department aims to ensure that at any one time permission has been given for the creation of two years' worth of accommodation – in other words, 600 homes,' he said. 'Contrary to popular belief, that particular target has not been missed – in fact it's been exceeded.'

He said the problem was people were not acting on these approvals.