Date of Report: 7th February 2006
Report for Housing Minister
States Rental Waiting List
1. The Waiting List as at 1 January 2006 comprised 265 families/individuals (including pending cases). This compares with a figure of 225 as at 1 January 2005, 275 as at 1 January 2004 and 246 as at 1 January 2003.
2. Of these 265, 27 are considered to be in urgent need of re-housing for various reasons (Group 1), including ill health, sub-standard accommodation or overcrowding. This figure of 27 is reduced from figures of 38 as at 1 January 2005 and 90 as at 1 January 2004.
3. During 2005, 263 families/individuals were housed from the Waiting List, this figure compares with 307 in 2004, 350 in 2003 and 318 in 2002.
4. If the Waiting List (265 families/individuals) and Tenant Transfer List (461 families / individuals) are combined, the greatest demand by far remains for ground floor or lift served one bedroom units. However, there continues to be a high demand for three and four bedroom family homes.
The Waiting list has risen by 40 families or individuals since the same time last year. There are no significant concerns over this rise and with a number of developments reaching completion in the first half of 2006, the list is expected to reduce considerably.
A comparison has been run of the Housing Law Regulation under which new waiting list applicants qualify, during 2004 and 2005. There are no significant concerns from results:-
Housing Law Qualification | 2004 | 2005 |
Regulation 1(1)(a) (Jersey born) | 51% | 47% |
Regulation 1(1)(g) (hardship) | 4% | 5% |
Regulation 1(1)(f) (length of residence) | 15% | 17% |
A comparison has also been run of the size of accommodation required by new waiting list applicants during 2004 and 2005:-
BED SIZE NEED | 2004 | 2005 |
BEDSIT | 39 | 65 |
ONE BED | 251 | 213 |
TWO BED | 175 | 231 |
THREE BED | 69 | 69 |
FOUR BED | 3 | 2 |
The biggest jump in bedroom size need has been in two bedroom accommodation. It also shows an increase in requirement for bedsit accommodation; however, this is easily linked to the introduction of the Supported Housing Group which has resulted in more individuals being accepted onto the waiting list for bedsits.
Development Programme 2005 and 2006
2005
There has been no progress in respect of the development of the former Mascot Motors site (10 units), the former Sunshine Hotel site (34 units) and Salisbury Crescent (28 units). Development of these projects remains suspended following the conclusions set out in ‘Planning for Homes’ which suggests that short term housing need has been largely met.
Work commenced on the development of 37 units (mix of sale and rental) on the first phase of the Le Marais Low Rise development, as did refurbishment work on the first phase (18 houses) at Clos du Roncier.
The first phase of Le Squez, comprising 19 units 18 of which have been sold to existing tenants was completed in November 2005. The remaining unit, a fully adapted bungalow has been retained for rental to an existing tenant.
Trust Developments in 2005
Work continues at Le Coie (96 units) with completion of the site anticipated to be around August 2006. On completion the site will be transferred to the Jersey Homes Trust. Similarly the development of Hodge Nurseries II for the CTJ Trust continues with completion expected ahead of schedule in May 2006.
2005 also saw the completion of the refurbishment of Bas du Mont, 16 flats previously administered by the Housing Department, which were transferred to the CTJ Housing Trust.
The Les Vaux Housing Trust completed their development at Philips House, Victoria Street providing a total of 18 new units.
2006
Work on phase 1b of the Le Squez redevelopment is planned to commence in March 2006, subject to satisfactory tender. Before the end of the year it is also planned that phase 2 of the Clos du Roncier refurbishment (65 homes) will commence before the end of 2006 and that significant refurbishment work will also take place at Journeaux Court.
Trust Developments in 2006
It is expected that the Les Vaux Housing Trust will commence construction on the former Aquila Youth Centre site (25 units) before June 2006.
The redevelopment of the Le Coin site remains on hold whilst the future use of the adjacent Wesley Chapel is decided. The scope of the redevelopment may increase to include neighbouring sites.
I K Gallichan
Acting Chief Officer
07 February 2006