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WQ.138/2021
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 29th MARCH 2021 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON WEDNESDAY 7th APRIL 2021
Question
Will the Minister commit to a review of the 2-tier treatment for the private and social rental components of Income Support?
Answer
No, I will not commit to a review of the distinction between private and social rental components in Income Support.
A key feature of the Housing Transformation Programme approved by the Assembly in 2013 and 2014 was the introduction of new rules in the Income Support scheme to allow Income Support components to acknowledge the full value of the rent for a socially rented property.
This system for social rents is designed to support the investment in Jersey's social rented sector. The Transformation Programme has delivered significant improvements to the existing social housing stock bringing all existing homes up to the Decent Homes standard within a short period. Andium Homes are now developing new homes to increase the number of social rented units available.
The private sector rental components continue to include a cap, above which no additional support is available. There are a wide range of rentals in the private sector and an uncapped system would be impractical.
Both systems work together to ensure that Income Support households can access good quality accommodation that is appropriate to their needs.