Social housing in Jersey is effective - review

A States Assembly review has found social housing on Jersey has been effective.

Minister for housing Deputy Sam Mezec said the system for renting States Assembly homes at 80% of their market value was giving quality housing to people on low incomes on the island.

However, Mezec said the review highlighted challenges - including inconsistencies in rents for older and newer rentals and increasing cost pressures on providers of social housing.

Mezec said he was "grateful" to Deputy Raluca Kovacs for raising concerns about rental stress in social housing with the assembly.

He said the review had provided the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of affordability challenges faced by those in social housing.

Mezec said it had prompted the assembly to "examine in detail the relevant statistical information and surrounding policies and processes currently in place".

He said: "The Reform of Social Housing took place over a decade ago, so it is timely to review the social rents policy and associated policies and provisions, to ensure that these are appropriate and continue to serve and support households in social housing."

The review concluded the island's existing market-based social housing model had been effective in delivering affordable, good-quality homes for low-income households while maintaining financial stability for social housing providers.

It added: "However, it also identifies several challenges and unintended consequences, now amplified by cost-of-living pressures, which underline the need for targeted adjustments to ensure the rental model remains fair, effective and sustainable."

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