In 1989 a number of significant problems arose regarding the housing sector in Jersey. Troy Court in Grands Vaux, St Helier had been offered for purchase to the States of Jersey, but the States (including the Housing Committee of the day) voted, by 40 to 8, not to approve the purchase. Shortly after the new owner passed contract, Troy Court tenants were presented with a potential increase in their rents of 70%. Some five months later (in June 1989) the tenants of the 96 flats at Troy Court were given notice of their forthcoming evictions.

In September 1989 the tenants of Landscape Grove, Mont Cochon, St Helier, were presented with rent increases of 150%, their property also having recently been sold to a new owner. That same month the tenants of Valley Court, Grands Vaux, St Saviour, were advised of imminent rent increases of approximately 80%.

The States of Jersey was therefore faced with a politically embarrassing problem which they were unable to resolve. Suddenly a significant number of island residents were facing large rent increases, which they would probably be unable to afford, and now were facing imminent eviction, with no alternative rental accommodation being immediately available.

The solution to the problem was proposed by the late Deputy John N. Le Fondré, who suggested that a housing association be created, that would borrow money (at a fixed rate of interest of 4%) from the States of Jersey to purchase the properties, and the rents of which would be used to fund loan repayments, and maintenance. The association would consist of a number of honorary members, with an agent to manage the day-to-day administration of the properties.

On 12 December 1989 the States of Jersey unanimously backed a recommendation by the Finance and Economics Committee to lend the newly created Les Vaux Housing Association £5.6m to purchase the properties of Troy Court and Vale Court.

During subsequent years, Les Vaux acquired additional properties, namely Valley Court, Landscape Grove, Berry House, Leonard Norman Close, 6-7 St Saviour’s Crescent and Perquage Court. January 2006 saw the first tenants set up home in John Le Fondré Court, Victoria Street, St Helier being the first property built by the Trust.

In August 2008 the development on the site of the former Aquila Youth Club, now known as David Moon House, was completed. This property is occupied by tenants over the age of 55 in 26 one-bedroom units. Later in that year the construction of 10 three-bedroom houses was completed at Clos Lempriere, Rue de Maupertuis, St Clement.

The Trust purchased 12 Clos De Le Ville in 2008 and in 2014 purchased a further two properties La Mabonnerie and Maurant Lodge. All three properties are currently occupied by Les Amis, Jersey to house local residents in need of adult care.

In February 2012 the trust purchased a block of flats and 13 three-bedroom houses at West View, La Ville Vautier, St Ouen. In the same year, the trust purchased a new development of 14 two bedroomed bungalows at Jardin de Haut, St Mary. Occupation of these bungalows is restricted to people over the age of 55.

In April 2017 the Trust purchased Grands Vaux Court and the neighbouring property Maison Bryant.

In March 2018 the Trust purchased Dun Na Ri with the assistance of a loan from the States of Jersey. The property is a Victorian, four-storey, townhouse in St Saviour’s Road which has been converted into 4 one-bedroom flats and extended at ground floor level to create a further one-bedroom cottage. Dun Na Ri is currently leased to The Shelter Trust.

As of 31 December 2020, the Trust owned 326 units of accommodation. Phase 2 of the redevelopment of Troy Court is now complete adding a further 63 units of accommodation to the Trust’s housing stock. The Trust also owns a retail supermarket and 3 small commercial shop units at Grands Vaux Court.