Mar 14 - GSD Calls For Explanation Of Housing Rules Following Miss Gib Confusion
The GSD Opposition says it notes and welcomes the willingness of the Government to review the Gibraltarian Status Act.
However, it adds that it is not strictly necessary to amend the Gibraltarian Status Act in order to allow Maroua Kharbouch or any British citizen in her situation to apply to purchase one of the Government’s new affordable homes. In fact, according to the Opposition, Ms Kharbouch probably already qualifies and any advice that she has received to the contrary is wrong.
According to the GSD, those eligible to apply to purchase one of these flats must also be eligible for Government Housing. That has, it claims, been the position for many years and, indeed, was the position when the GSD Government built its own affordable homes.
Under the Housing Allocation Scheme Rules, the statement explains, persons who are eligible for Government Housing are (a) Gibraltarians registered under the Gibraltarian Status Act (b) those not registered as Gibraltarians but who have the right of permanent residence and (c) British Dependent Territories citizens by virtue of a connection with Gibraltar. An EEA national, let alone a British national, can acquire permanent residence under the Immigration, Asylum and Refugee Act after residing in Gibraltar continuously for five years. The Government in its statement has said that any British citizen living in Gibraltar for ten years qualifies for Government Housing. That is, says the GSD, a policy decision that goes back many years but is not strictly reflected in the rules.
In any event, whether by virtue of the Housing Allocation Scheme Rules or the ten year residency policy, the GSD believes that Ms Kharbouch does qualify and if she (or anyone else in her situation) has been told otherwise, it is “not correct.”
The Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Feetham, said “it is not just about Maroua Kharbouch and there are others who are also being told they do not qualify when they probably do. It is therefore important for us to call on the Government to ensure people get the right advice. Indeed, only yesterday I received a complaint from a lady working within the GHA who has lived in Gibraltar for 17 years and her daughter was born and schooled here who had been told that she needed to reside in Gibraltar for 25 years before she could apply. This is not a criticism of the Government. Current housing policy goes back decades, but there is an opportunity to ensure no one is excluded who genuinely qualifies and that there is clarity in the application of the rules on all sides. There are many British citizens who have lived here for decades, who have contributed immensely to this community and they should not be excluded from being able to purchase an affordable home because of lack of understanding of the rules. The Government should consider extending the period for making these applications for anyone who has not been provided with correct advice.”
