Questions raised over ownership and housing access

Returning to Parliament, the Opposition MP Damon Bossino challenged the Housing Minister about the Government’s Housing Allocation Scheme.

The Minister said eligibility now requires fifteen years’ residence in Gibraltar, up from ten, plus a continuous 12-month residency before applying.

Turning to Gibraltarians returning from abroad, Pat Orfila explained that previous time in Gibraltar still counts, so returning residents only need to “top up” to meet the 15-year requirement.

The debate then moved to applicants who own property in Spain. Damon Bossino argued this should affect access to Government rental housing, but Pat Orfila said checking ownership abroad is very difficult, given limited access to Spanish records.