Press Release - Harbour House 23.08.2021

The States of Alderney and the Alderney Housing Association (AHA) have acted jointly to correct rumour and ill-informed publicity surrounding the temporary letting of Harbour House to an essential health worker.

The AHA was asked for assistance with the provision of urgent key worker housing and an opportunity at Harbour House was identified as the best short-term solution.

The AHA memorandum and articles specifically allow essential and key workers designated by the States to be accommodated separately to those requiring social housing. The property in question is in need of repair and refurbishment and was not scheduled for social housing use at this time. Therefore nobody has gone to the head of the queue as alleged in a petition circulating on the weekend. Neither the States nor the AHA has received any petition on this matter at the time this press release was issued.

"Harbour House was offered on a short-term basis while we discuss the future of the property with the States and the issues around what might happen in the harbour area in the future," said AHA CEO Steve Williams. "The accommodation has been provided for someone who undertakes an essential service for the benefit of the island as a short-term solution.

"The AHA is particularly concerned for the wellbeing of its tenants especially where rumour and assumptions cause distress."

The issue highlights Alderney's shortage of suitable housing for people relocating to the island and emphasises the need for the development and implementation of a new States housing policy to address the range of needs of those coming to the island and those who are committed to living and working in Alderney.