'My landlord's going to have to take us to court'

Islanders are finding it hard to find somewhere to live after their landlord decided to sell up.

Kelly lives in shared accommodation with her husband and two children but was asked to leave in November.

With no luck finding alternative accommodation, Kelly's landlord suggested taking them to court to help bump the family up the social housing waiting list.

The President of Employment and Social Security, Deputy Peter Roffey, said that process has "been the case for at least 40 years".

He said: "If somebody is being evicted, then they have to contest that and wait for that eviction to happen".

Roffey added that it meant often the court would give an extensive notice period before an eviction could take place.

There are currently about 260 people waiting for social housing at the moment.

Kelly has been on the list since July last year, currently waiting in Band 2, and has tried to find other homes, but said that they "can't take just anything" because of health situations.

She said: "[My stepson] had cancer last year and is living with one kidney. He won't be in remission for five years".

When asked if she felt like a priority for social housing given her children's needs, Kelly said: "No."

"At the moment it feels like Guernsey only wants rich people, and the lower class or the poorer class have to leave," Kelly said.

"At the moment, we're fighting for our children to have a forever home and we're getting nowhere".

Roffey said he was "sorry someone doesn't feel like a priority" and said medical factors of individuals and their family "can be considered".

Priority groups for social housing are split into three bands:

• Band 1 includes those who are homeless, living in emergency accommodation, at risk of coming to serious harm as a direct result of their current accommodation, given a notice to quit served by HM Sheriff or Stay of Eviction issued by a court
• Band 2 covers the property being too small to meet needs, unaffordable rent, poor housing standards and health being negatively impacted by current housing
• Band 3 is anyone who does not meet criteria in the first two bands

Clint Le Cheminant lives in the same shared house and is also trying to find somewhere to live.

He said: "At the moment, I have got no home. I can't call it a home at the moment because I haven't got one. I'm in between places. It's hard."

Mr Le Cheminant siad he found it difficult to get on the list for social housing due to his previous arrears with rent.

He said: "Losing my wife, I spiralled out of control because I was drinking so much. I got into arrears with States housing".

While he said he was in a better place now, Mr Le Cheminant said the stress of finding a new place to live was having an impact on his physical and mental health.

Roffey said being in arrears was "an issue", but added that if a person was "willing to start paying that off and stick to that" they could be "regarded for a fresh tenancy".

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