The Housing Committee says rent changes are necessary

Housing president Deputy Terry Le Main told the States people would be receiving notification of the changes on Monday, 6 October.

He said tenants would receive individual clarification in December on what they would be expected to pay from January.

He also said the Housing Department would be sympathetic to those who suffer hardship with the changes.

Fairer system

Earlier this year, the Housing Committee introduced changes to rent subsidies and benefits for claimants.

The committee said this was to make the system fairer, though it also needed to save about �1.5m.

The Housing Committee wanted to stop paying subsidies to those it believes can afford to pay full rents.

It said some of the changes are necessary and if they were not made its building maintenance programme would be under threat.

Deputy Terry Le Main said of those who might suffer difficulties because of the changes: "I'm sure that the department, as we've always agreed in the committee, will look at those cases sympathetically and will help those people."