‘Use empty buildings as emergency housing’
SEVERAL houses that have stood empty since 2015 could easily be used as emergency accommodation, according to Deputy Neil Inder.
The Economic Development president said the empty properties in Hougue Jehannet Lane were brought to his attention by a member of the public who was concerned about lack of housing for ex-prisoners.
But Employment & Social Security claimed that noise and other disturbances from the power station next door to the properties made them unsuitable for emergency housing.
On visiting the properties, Deputy Inder said they did not look to be in bad condition. He felt they could be used by ex-offenders and possibly other people in need of housing urgently.
‘We’re struggling with temporary accommodation, we’re struggling with emergency accommodation and prisoner accommodation, and it seems that these are fairly OK houses,’ he said.
‘I’m not saying we sell them to the public, but I am saying that we have a housing crisis, if not a housing emergency.’
The houses were once privately owned but Guernsey Electricity purchased them in 2015 after residents complained about noise and vibration from the power station following the installation of a new engine in 2012. GE said at the time that the houses were one of a number of ‘strategic acquisitions’ of neighbouring properties ahead of the installation of a new medium-speed engine.
It said it would not allow the properties to become derelict and speculated that they could be returned to residential use at some time in the future.
‘Is there a family living on a sofa at the moment that wouldn’t mind moving into one of these as temporary accommodation?’ asked Deputy Inder.
He thought that at least three of the properties would not require much more than ‘a lick of paint’ to make them easily habitable.
Deputy Inder has written to ESS, which is responsible for social housing, and received a reply from vice-president Lindsay de Sausmarez.
He said he was told the committee had discussed the issue.
‘But what are they actually doing to ensure that these houses are used as part of our temporary housing stock?’ he asked.
ESS said Deputy Inder’s idea to use the houses was not new and had been ruled out in the past because of an excess of noise, vibration and steam caused by the power station.
‘The committee has received an enquiry from Deputy Inder with regards to this question and will respond in due course,’ it said.
GE confirmed that the properties had been empty since 2015.
‘While they have been maintained over the period, some expenditure and upgrading would be required in order for them to be re-occupied,’ said the States-owned utility.
‘We hope that the States’ electricity strategy, due to be published shortly, sets out a clear path for the future of the Vale power station which may allow us to return these housing units to the rental market in due course.’
