The committee is planning to develop new States housing for the first time in more than 20 years to supplement affordable housing schemes being delivered by Guernsey Housing Association.
After all this time, Housing president Steve Williams said the States did not have any staff who would be able to lead such projects. It is offering a fixed-term two-year contract for the role or is even prepared to take an industry professional on a secondment.
‘Given that the States hasn’t been in the business of building homes for over 20 years, we don’t have someone available with the specific skills and experience needed for this vital role,’ said Deputy Williams.
‘As supplying more homes is a top priority, we need to put our money where our mouth is and throw everything behind it.’
The housing development manager will help to prioritise which sites to develop, assess viability, engage with landowners and prospective development partners. The successful applicant will also need to be able to scrutinise development plans and negotiate with developers to help the States deliver value for money.
The successful applicant will be responsible for overseeing the committee’s outline housing delivery plan, which seeks to build or commence construction on at least 250 affordable homes by the end of the political term.
These homes are expected to be delivered in different ways, including through Guernsey Housing Association, developing States-owned land and developing affordable housing allocations identified through the Island Development Plan Review, working in partnership with developers and contractors.
‘To scale up affordable housing development to the levels needed, it’s vital that the States brings forward developments to add to those delivered by the Guernsey Housing Association,’ Deputy Williams added.
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