Action for Housing have issued a statement rejecting the Chief Minister’s recent comments on GBC’s Direct Democracy program.

A statement from Action for Housing follows below:

The pressure group Action for Housing has written a strongly worded letter to Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister, challenging his recent public statements with regard to the ever-growing housing crisis.

On 17th September the CM appear on GBC’s Direct Democracy program where a member of the public explained how he was forced to live in Spain as he could not afford to rent in Gibraltar. He confirmed he had applied for government housing eleven years ago and was still waiting for an allocation.

The CM told viewers that data given to him by the Housing Department suggested there are no such cases. He then continued to misinform the viewers, by claiming that those waiting for many years on the lists have been offered accommodation but decided to reject it.

In their letter, Action for Housing points out that contrary to data provided to Mr. Picardo, there is an ever- growing number of applicants who have been on the waiting list for many years. The pressure group further encloses a list of 20 such cases which they state is only a snapshot of a wider reality.

Given that this matter was aired publicly, Action for Housing have decided to share the letter so that the community has a clear and honest understanding of what the housing situation is really like. 

Below follows a copy of the letter:

The Hon. Fabian Picardo KC. Chief Minister

Dear Chief Minister,

During your most recent appearance on GBC’s Direct Democracy program, a contributor wrote in to explain how he had to live in Spain as he could not afford to rent locally. He confirmed he had applied for government housing eleven years ago and was still waiting for an allocation.

In your response you told viewers that there could not be many cases such as this one in which an applicant has been waiting for 11 years or even less, and that in fact, according to data provided to you by the Housing Department, you suggested there are no such cases. You then went on to contradict yourself and, in our opinion, misinform the viewers, by claiming that those waiting for so many years on the lists are those who have been offered a flat but decided to reject it.

You made no mention of the construction of new government rental properties as per the party’s manifesto commitment. Instead you referred once again to the ‘affordable’ homes for purchasing, which is not relevant to those people on the housing list and which do not meet the needs of those who are unable to afford loans and mortgages.

For the record we must point out that contrary to any data you have been provided, there is an ever- growing number of applicants who have been on the waiting list for many years. We enclose a list of 20 such cases. Bear in mind that this list does not reflect the full number of applicants in these circumstances and is only a snapshot of a wider reality.

Given that this matter was aired publicly, we have decided to share this letter with the press so that our community develops an understanding of what the housing situation is really like. In the press release we have omitted the names and addresses of the applicants for data protection reasons.

Yours sincerely

ACTION FOR HOUSING