The Government’s Housing Department is looking at ways to progress to paperless systems and has introduced an online billing system for the payment of housing rent as part of its drive for e-government and the Thinking Green agenda.

The Housing Department sends approximately 5000 bills per month. The initiative was commenced recently and a bill in a new format explains how to subscribe to the paperless system. Details on the new scheme are also available at the Housing Department counter situated at the Housing Department offices in New Harbours, and on the Gibraltar Government website under the Housing section.

The electronic alternative to the printed bill will be available on a voluntary basis, and tenants who use email are encouraged to subscribe to the new emailing method. The initiative, although just commenced, is already popular and the Department say it is confident that this will be adopted by a majority of residents.

Minister for Housing Samantha Sacramento MP welcomed the initiative and said it was aimed at persuading as many people as possible about the convenience and all-round advantages, of adopting the electronic, paperless system.

“The Gibraltar Government is committed to minimising its impact on the environment, and the paperless system is a step in the right direction. As a Government, we are progressing to e- government as a more efficient way of working, in this case it also benefits the environment as we will be saving on ink, paper and other resources to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. I am proud of this initiative.”