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Paul Le Claire -28th May 2021
Dear Panel
Today an article appears in the media regarding the fact that there are 400 of the islands highest priority on the housing waiting list.
The number and catergory Is unclear. In the past the States Housing Minister agreed to publish monthly the housing gateway or waiting list to show the actual numbers of households on the list. The reason for this is one high priority householder could be 5 or more people. 2 adults and 3 children for example. In order for us all to understand the problem we need to be able to see it clearly. The current methods of calculating the needs are not transparent in my view and in the overall picture of need, sadly lacking in accuracy and detail. How are we to understand the need and begin to address it if we do not see it ? We must in my view make the numbers more transparent , more clear, more easily understood and more predictable by creating projections based upon immigration and population events and statistics from the past¡ present and likely future. It is never going to be solved by building in crisis mode just to avoid a situation which is rapidly becoming a disgrace. Jersey signed up to the UNCHR of the child at my request whilst a States member. It was agreed we wanted it. Subsequently many years on we have it but it would seem in words, not action. I wish you well in your work which is multi faceted. I would however strongly urge you to produce something that lasts and is useful other than a snap shot of the failings of our island at present. Please introduce a workable model of need that is accessible and transparent that unites us all in seeing the problem and then we can begin to address it.
Thank you