Action For Housing have issued a statement calling for transparency in the Government Housing allocation procedure.

A statement from Action For Housing follows below:

Government housing for rental is a very scarce commodity, that is why the allocation of government flats must be done following the chronological order as set down on the Housing waiting lists.

Regrettably the correct procedure is not always adhered to and there are instances when applicants are given government allocations although they are not at the top or near the top of the list and who lack any exceptional reasons which merit them being given priority over and above the other applicants.

Of late we have detected three such cases which we brought to the attention of the pertinent Housing authorities and requested explanations. However these were unconvincing.

In one case the applicant was given an allocation bypassing the nine other applicants on the list. The other one bypassed 15 other applicants on the list, and the third bypassed eleven applicants. We are not blaming these applicants for being given their respective allocations over and above those on the waiting list but shining a spotlight on what seems to be serious irregularities in the system.

This is not the first time that we have detected this kind of irregularities. They put into question an allocation system which many people see as unfair, arbitrary and flawed.  Whilst many applicants languish for years on the waiting list, others, albeit a few are given what seems to be preferential treatment.

We know and accept that occasionally, there are exceptional cases which must be given priority allocations, but these must be properly validated. But for the rest of those on the waiting list the Housing authorities must ensure that the proper allocation procedure is strictly adhered to.