
Guernsey's new head of Housing says he will "keep pushing" to address the lack of local accommodation.
Deputy Steve Williams told Island FM that high purchase and rent prices cannot be addressed until housing supply meets demand.
The political newcomer has more than four decades of experience getting affordable housing built and spent 17 years as the Chief Executive of the Guernsey Housing Association.
He says he will encourage the States of Guernsey to support the construction of private, rental, States-owned and emergency accommodation in this political term.
Deputy Williams is pleased major developments are underway at the Oberlands and the Charroterie, with the Mallard and Leales Yard expected soon.
"Work has been happening, it’s just it all takes time to come to fruition.
"Our key role is to make sure we keep pushing to make those things happen.
"Inevitably there are other (housing developments) that have not progressed for various reasons, that we want to dig into and try to unlock those and keep things moving."
His committee is evaluating tax changes.
"At the moment there’s an extra document duty on builders who want to build to rent.
"I'm not entirely sure all the reasons why it was brought in a number of years ago.
"But it is actually it’s a disincentive for developers to build to rent - so we would quite like to take that out."
He says reduced document duty for first time buyers is under discussion.
"There’s a slight balance here because in the market where we’ve got a limited supply of accommodation, there is a danger that you don’t want to hype the demand and make things easier for people to buy, if there are not properties to buy.
"Because all you end up doing is people are chasing fewer properties and you end up pushing prices up."
Deputy Williams says incentives and penalties could be implemented on developers and landowners that have empty or derelict buildings.
"Our priorities are not just in new builds, but let's make the most of what we've already got as well."
The new political term gets underway with a States meeting today, (3 September).