- Purpose of Report
To provide background context in support of the request for the Chief Minister to amend the housing category of 45 units of accommodation within Hue Court Block B so that the identified properties are able to house licensed locum, agency and permanent key workers.
- Background and Reason for Decision
A Keyworker Accommodation Strategy is being developed for Jersey. Altair, a housing consultancy firm were commissioned to carry out two pieces of research to inform Jersey’s Keyworker Accommodation Strategy, the first made recommendations for delivering a keyworker accommodation solution. The second builds upon the proposed options and will provide financial modelling for each.
The proposals include developing a key worker accommodation provision made up of three offers:
- Short-term ‘landing’ accommodation for new arrivals
- Long-term leased accommodation
- Partial ownership
The 45 units within Hue Court Block B will be able to be used for both short term ‘landing’ accommodation and long term leased accommodation. 15 of the one-bedroom units will be fully furnished to enable a turn key accommodation offer to short term agency and locum staff. The remaining 30 units of accommodation will be partially furnished and offered on a long-term lease arrangement to keyworkers. This will enable keyworkers to bring their furniture and belongings with them. They are provided with funding to move their belongings to Jersey as part of their relocation allowance.
Moreover, this reclassification of accommodation is required in any event due to some of the Health and Community Services Department’s accommodation being oversubscribed and some being substandard. This places a pressure upon the Health and Community Services Department to secure temporary alternative solutions to meet the housing requirements of these short-term locum and agency staff. These roles are usually to cover staff sickness or increased service requirements and as such accommodation is required at short notice leading to a significant cost incurred through hotel bookings or rental of serviced apartments.
The reason for this decision is to enable the occupation of accommodation by licenced key workers which includes Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers and other key children’s workforce professionals that are essential for the continuation of the delivery of vital services to the island. These workers are to be transferred or offered refurbished Andium Homes Limited housing at Hue Court that is of a suitable standard favourably comparable to keyworker accommodation provided by NHS trusts in the UK.
Hue Court provides a mix of one- and two-bedroom accommodation – See Appendix 1. totalling 45 units that complements the existing 17 units of bedsit and two bedroom accommodation provided at Plaisant Court.
Due to various factors it is difficult to forecast the future accommodation requirements of the aforementioned staff groups. As such, it may be necessary to vary the specific units required in the event the number of or size of accommodation required by individual locum or agency staff changes in the future; further work to develop an understanding of key worker accommodation needs is already underway.
- Recommendation
The Chief Minister is recommended to approve the amendment to the classification of accommodation for the above described dwelling accommodation within Hue Court from Qualified to Registered in accordance with Article 15(1) of the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012. Under the law, an owner of a unit of dwelling accommodation may apply to the Minister to change the housing category of the unit of dwelling accommodation or to specify or vary the conditions relating to the housing category of the unit of dwelling accommodation.
Under Article 15(3), the Minister may, of his or her own motion, or following an application under paragraph (1), make a determination relating to any of the following –
(a) A change in the categorization of a unit of dwelling accommodation;
(b) Specification or a variation of the conditions relating to the housing category of a unit of dwelling accommodation.
Article 15(7) states that in making a determination under paragraph (3), the Minister shall have regard to any relevant factors relating to the supply and demand of housing, particularly in relation to the interests of persons with Entitled status and may have regard to any other factors he or she considers relevant.
- Resource Implications
The cost of providing this accommodation, i.e. rent and utilities amounts to approximately £42,100 per month, which will be offset by rental charges to staff occupying the accommodation; any void costs will be met by the Health and Community Services Department.
This is made up of the 2020 Target rents for the units (£41,832.54), (3 x 2 beds at £1233.52 per month, 42 x 1 beds at £897.19 per month, a monthly charge for water (£646.80) (£23.10 and £13.75 per unit respectively). , plus GST on the water at 5%.
A review of the current arrangements relating to staff accommodation charges is ongoing, which will result in a new policy approach.
- Appendix 1
Breakdown of Hue Court block B units by floor.
Hue Court Block B | |
| |
Floor | Units |
1 | 3x2-bedroom units |
2 | Plant rooms only |
3 | 6 x 1-bedroom units |
4 | 6 x 1-bedroom units |
5 | 6 x 1-bedroom units |
6 | 6 x 1-bedroom units |
7 | 6 x 1-bedroom units |
8 | 6 x 1-bedroom units |
9 | 6 x 1-bedroom units |
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