This has to be the time for action

And the first glimpse of the report commissioned by the States from an off-island consultant hinted that £40,000 had been spent to – once again – tell us much that we already know about the state of our housing market.

The shuddering reality that bites throughout the report is (a) the States, together with its plans and policies, is doing nowhere near enough to secure its islanders a reasonable home for their future, and (b) even if it ever gets around to doing more, it’s going to take the best part of a decade to make things better, if not ‘right’.

Housing in Guernsey has never been easy. Our forefathers held down multiple jobs to put roofs over the heads of their families. But it’s undoubtedly getting worse.

Government action so far this term has been making headlines, and buying up lots of land in the north of the island.

In the avowed spirit of this States, it’s intent, it’s action. But it’s not particularly organised or strategic and it hasn’t yet led to a single block being laid.

If this report is a trigger for meaningful, strategic and sustained action, then it will be £40,000 well spent.

But the States can’t afford to not make this report and advice work for them, and for a generation of islanders.