12 April 2012
Proposals to transform the way social housing is delivered in Jersey have been issued for consultation by the Housing Minister.
Deputy Andrew Green said that the proposals include changing the status of the Housing Department to a wholly States-owned association able to borrow privately and that the changes would guarantee improved standards of housing and services for tenants.
Under the proposals a new Strategic Housing Unit and independent regulator will ensure that available resources are distributed in a fairer way and that social landlords serving tenants are truly focussed on their needs.
Deputy Green said: “These proposals deliver many real benefits, one of the most important being that within 10 years all social housing tenants will have a home that meets the UK’s Decent Homes Standard. Tenants will be reassured that the States will still own the homes currently managed by the Housing Department but the association will be led by a management board including tenant representatives. This is the first time that tenants have been invited to become involved in all parts of the service provided to them.”
The UK Decent Homes Standard will become the minimum standard for all States supported and Housing Trust properties and landlords will have to demonstrate how they will meet and maintain this standard.
To pay for the improvements to homes, and to cover the cost of maintaining them, rents for social housing will be returned to the Fair Rent Level - equivalent to 90% of the market rent for each property. The hidden subsidy that most tenants currently receive will be removed but tenants on income support will be fully protected and their payments will be increased to meet the cost of their Fair Rent Level. Tenants who don’t receive income support will have the hidden rent subsidy removed from 2014 in phases according to their ability to pay.
Deputy Green said: “The aim of these proposals is to ensure that social housing in Jersey is delivered in a sustainable and equitable way.”
A full copy of the consultation is available from the Housing Department or online. To submit views about these changes please email Decent Homes or write to the Housing Transformation Programme.
Housing Transformation Programme
Housing Department
PO Box 587
Jubilee Wharf
24 Esplanade
St Helier
JE4 8XT
gov.je