Truly affordable housing is what we're missing

I have spelled this out as it does not seem to be getting through to all the politicians out there who are falling over themselves of late pretending to be doing something about the housing situation. It seems to me they just want to build on greenhouse sites.

The Housing Association in the Press last month saying how pleased taxpayers will be if they build more housing and Matt Fallaize wanting to reclaim greenbelt land to build on as there is not enough housing.

There is enough housing already but affordable housing does not exist. This is what the Guernsey politician does not seem able to grasp.

The Housing Association's cheapest accommodation is a one-bedroom unit at £200 per week. They base their rents on the private sector. The private sector base their rent on what rent the States are willing to pay people on benefits, £850 per month, and even the scabbiest accommodation can be rented out to some desperate person on benefits.

The States are causing the problem not aiding it.

The Housing Association borrows money to build from the bank, the States guarantee the loan boasting that the rents pay for the loan. Clever wording, but what they do not tell you is that most of the tenants who live in Housing Association accommodation are living on benefits.

How does this please the taxpayer?

As the States do not own these properties, after the loan is paid (half a million pounds per unit – this is roughly the cost once the bank interest is added), the taxpayer will continue to pay forever, not just the 25 years it takes to pay off the loan. How is this allowed?

Affordable housing: If you are working for a low or minimum wage the most one can afford for housing is around £50 per week. Tell me, where can this housing be found? Not in Guernsey.

Politicans need to get real. Either build homes that the States own and rent them for £50 per week to the genuinely needy working person, or raise the wage to £10 an hour, in line with what is being paid to people on benefits who themselves are not living a life of luxury. Then cap what is paid on rent for those on benefits living in private sector homes.

People on benefits used to be pitied by those working but it has now gone full circle and those on benefits are now envied by the low-paid worker.

If politicians really want to help, they must stop protecting the wealthy employer, control the rent the greedy landlord demands, build truly affordable housing that is owned by the people so they don't have to continue paying the Housing Association unaffordable rent forever.

Feedback welcome.

THERESA LE LONG,

Address withheld.