Deputy Sam Mézec, the Minister for Housing in Jersey, has set out an exciting new phase in his strategy. This is to help improve social housing, making it more accessible to all residents of the island. The roadmap marks the beginning of some major changes. These amendments will help expand the accessibility of social housing to a wider range of communities and address shifting community needs over time.
The most significant change of all is perhaps the reestablishment of a general needs band. This band will allow households that do not meet existing priority criteria to access social housing, starting in January 2026. This program focuses on younger adults and childless individuals by reducing the age requirement for applicants from 25 to 18 years old.
Further, the roadmap aims to remove limits on hardship cases. People who have been given entitled status on a hardship basis will now be able to regain a route into social housing. This is a positive change, and it goes a long way to protect people put in painful circumstances. It furthers the administration’s goals of protecting and supporting vulnerable populations.
We’re pleased to see Deputy Mézec taking action to make the Assembly more accessible. He intends to reduce the residency requirement for anyone eligible for social housing from six months to three months. This amendment is further anticipated to smooth the way for incoming residents who need low-to-moderate cost housing options delivered quickly.
We’re pleased that the Minister made mention of the need for ongoing, regular evaluations of the health of our housing system. SHDC His roadmap goes further, calling for an annual review of income thresholds to keep them in line with affordability and changes in the cost-of-living. There will be quarterly reviews of long-standing applications to expedite allocations and identify barriers that hinder access to housing.
Perhaps the most unique and essential aspect of the roadmap is a focused look at Band 1 prioritization with a purpose. Our review is a paean to doing urgent housing needs justice. At the same time, it hopes to do this by making better use of the current housing stock.
Deputy Mézec stressed their dedication to meeting evolving housing demands. He emphasized how this upcoming phase of the roadmap will further broaden inclusion in social housing.
By making these shifts, Deputy Mézec is confident the government can do a better job serving its people.
“Introducing a general needs band will open the door to more islanders, ensuring that younger adults and households who do not meet existing priority criteria can benefit from the stability and affordability of social housing.” – Deputy Sam Mézec
