GSD Rejects Government Housing Figures

The GSD has questioned the Government’s housing figures and raised concerns about the timeline for the 2300 affordable homes planned for the Westside reclamation.

A statement from the GSD follows below:

The presentation of distorted figures which do not make a proper comparison of the provision  of low-cost housing in GSLP and GSD periods is not just sleight of hand but fundamentally  fails to address the core point about the GSLP “delivery” of housing policy. 

Housing is a pressing social concern and people want delivery and not playground politics.  

The undeniable fact is that the GSLP will not stick to its promises made in January 2025 that  keys would be delivered at the westside reclamation by no later than the first half of 2028 because the reclamation has not even started.  

The undeniable fact is that Bob Peliza Mews was announced 11 years ago and phase 1  purchasers are still waiting while those waiting for phase 2 are seeing no end in sight to their  seemingly interminable wait.  

The undeniable fact is that Chatham Views has taken almost a decade for delivery to occur.  

This record when juxtaposed with the notion that the Government is saying it will now deliver  another 2,300 homes – i.e., that in the short span of two years it will deliver more homes than  it has built over the entire 15-year period and all in 47,000 sq. metres of land – raises  fundamental questions as to the credibility of what they are now saying. Nothing, in what they  have said in their reply addressees this core concern as to the believability of what they say. 

Damon Bossino said: “Without wishing to entertain the Government’s child play of ‘my toy  is bigger than yours’, it has to be pointed out that their figures are in fact intentionally massaged  to portray a more favourable picture as to their record in office. What the Government  statement purposely and with obvious intent fails to mention is the almost 500 rental flats that  were in fact delivered at Mid harbours Estate by the GSD. This cynical and convenient  omission has been intentionally done in order to distort the real picture.”  

Perhaps Ms Orfila, as the Minister for Housing will be allowed, at some point, to intervene in  the debate.