Refurb brings back nearly 60 key worker homes opposite hospital

Thursday 06 April 2023

Refurbishment work to temporarily bring Westaway Court back into use as key worker accommodation has been completed.

Key workers have already moved into parts of the site, which has 56 apartments and is located near the hospital.

Built in 1976, many of Westaway Court's apartments were dilapidated and had previously been earmarked for potential demolition.

It is hoped that the new accommodation will help attract and retain key workers - which is one of the States Employment Board's (SEB) key priorities for 2023-2026.

According to its recently-published annual report for 2022, the SEB has a "short-term goal of 100 units in 2023" in line with a "longer-term strategy and plan for key worker housing".

Pictured: Increasing the amount of accommodation specifically for key workers is one of the priorities of the Chief Minister’s 2023 Ministerial Plan

Chief Minister Kristina Moore said: “The availability of accommodation in Jersey for our essential workers, particularly in the areas of health and education, became an urgent issue for this Council of Ministers. It was clearly impacting on our ability to recruit and retain staff in critical roles.

“The location of Westaway Court, so near to the hospital, makes it particularly suitable for use by health colleagues. We know that having access to good and affordable accommodation plays an important role in wellbeing and will help us to attract and keep those people with the vital skills our island needs.”

Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet said there was "an immediate need to increase the supply of homes for colleagues in health and CYPES".

"I’d like to thank all those who’ve worked so hard on this over the past few months," he added.