Bermuda's housing problems could be solved by turning to a page out of the Island of Guernsey's Housing Control and Right to Work Laws.

The Right to Work Law requires everyone, including self employed people, who start or change employment in Guernsey to hold a "Right to Work Document" issued by the Housing Department indicating that they are lawfully housed.

These include both residents and those who are seeking employment from outside of Guernsey. Senator and Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing David Burch was speaking at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce's Annual General Meeting held at the Hamilton Fairmont Princess yesterday.

Sen. Burch suggested turning to the Island of Guernsey may help fix some of the infrastructure issues Bermuda currently faces.

He said: "It will come as no surprise to any of you – being aware of my current responsibilities – that the impact of immigration on housing takes on added importance.

"As such I shall shortly be asking the Central Policy Unit at the Cabinet Office to explore options including the quite novel approach of the Island of Guernsey, specifically its Housing Control and Right to Work laws, with a view to implementing similar legislation here."

There are seven types of "The Right to Work Law" documents that can be attained for those seeking employment on the Island of Guernsey.

A Status Declaration which issued to a local person who is a qualified resident as defined in the Housing Control Law. These are permanent documents which cannot be revoked. There are employment related housing licences and non-essential licences which are not related to employment. These types of licence specifies the dwelling which may be occupied and has an expiry date.

For the spouses or household members of qualified residents of licence holders they must apply and get a declaration of lawful residence.

Other documents include a tent dweller's declaration, a boat crew declaration and a temporary exemption certificate which is used for people who have applied for the other documents and are delayed in receiving them.

These permits are further restricted by the housing market that is divided between open and closed market properties. Anyone may live in an open market property, but local market properties can only be lived in by those who qualify, either through being born in Guernsey, by obtaining a housing licence, or by virtue of sharing a property with someone who does qualify.

These restrictions apply equally regardless of whether the property is owned or rented, and only applies to occupation of the property.

Thus a person whose housing licence expires may continue to own a Guernsey property, but will no longer be able to live in it. In order to qualify for a "local housing" it is usually sufficient to be born to a Guernsey parent and to have lived on the Island for ten years in a twenty year period.

Yesterday Sen. Burch however appealed for those in the room not to panic and that he would be discussing any amendments with them in the future. He added: "Don't panic, like the discussions we have had a Term Limits and my undertaking to review them, similar discussions will be held in this regard as well, before implementation."

For more information visit the Guernsey Government website at: www.gov.gg.