GSD questions Housing fairness as Government defends legal discretion

The Opposition has renewed concerns over Gibraltar’s housing allocation system, following findings in the Principal Auditor’s report.

In response, the Government has defended the Chief Minister’s involvement in certain allocations.

The debate has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability in how public housing is distributed.

The Auditor’s report revealed that in 72% of sampled cases, homes were allocated to applicants who were not at the top of the waiting list, with no documented reasons.

The GSD’s Damon Bossino said the findings raise serious concerns about fairness, particularly for those who have waited years on medical and social lists. He also pointed to reports suggesting the Chief Minister gave instructions without formal authority or recorded justification, adding to public unease over how decisions are made.

In response, the Government defended the Chief Minister’s involvement, saying interventions were limited to urgent cases involving serious risk, such as domestic abuse or child protection , saying they were made lawfully under the 2007 Housing Act, introduced by a previous GSD administration. It described the use of this discretion as long-standing and appropriate.

The Government also said it supports the introduction of clearer guidelines to formalise this practice, while rejecting claims of unfair treatment.