A self-employed teacher has left Guernsey for France, citing the island's high housing costs and poor quality as key factors. Aeva Love said buying a home in Guernsey was 'completely pointless' and that the island felt 'unwelcoming' and like a 'playground of the rich'.
Her departure comes as a new report reveals Guernsey needs more than 1,500 new homes over the next five years to address what officials describe as a 'housing crisis'. The States of Guernsey aims to build 1,565 units between 2023 and 2027, including 844 private properties and 721 affordable homes.
Ellie Jones, another islander, said she and her partner are living apart to save for a deposit, but rising costs have pushed the amount needed up by £10,000 in the past year. She described feeling 'depressed, anxious and hopeless' and said they may have to leave Guernsey if the situation does not improve.
Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache has made resolving the housing crisis a top priority, alongside tax reform. He has proposed that the States buy land and sell it to private developers, and is also considering a lending scheme to help people purchase homes. Last year, the States spent over £30m on sites for affordable housing, including the Data Park and Kenilworth Vinery.
However, critics note that the States has a history of setting 'aims' rather than targets, giving it flexibility if goals are not met. For example, a previous target of 300 new homes per year was never achieved. With the construction industry already at capacity, building the planned units may prove challenging.
