The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
WQ.58/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING BY DEPUTY D.J. WARR OF ST. HELIER SOUTH
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 17th FEBRUARY 2025 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2025
Question
"In relation to the eligibility criteria to access the Social Housing Gateway, will the Minister –
- state the current maximum value of assets permitted, excluding income criteria;
- advise what maximum limits were permitted in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and
- explain what criteria have been used to establish these maximum limits?"
Answer
- A person who applies for social housing through the Affordable Housing Gateway is permitted to have savings or capital assets up to £70,000.My policy on savings and capital assets is set out in the Eligibility Criteria for Renting Social Housing.' [1]
- The savings and capital asset limit was introduced by the then Minister for Housing and Communities in April 2022. The Minister's intention to introduce this limit was set out in the Fair Rents Plan' (December 2021). [2]The limit has not changed since its introduction.
- The savings and capital assets limit was introduced in April 2022 following a review of policy options, including benchmarking against other jurisdictions. The limit is a reasonable maximum amount of money for a prospective tenant to hold in order to provide them with a financial safety net. Where a person's savings or assets exceed this limit, they should be able to use the savings or release assets to help secure accommodation in the private sector. It should also be noted that these policies are subject to annual review based on evidence of changing need.
[1] Eligibility Criteria for Renting Social Housing: https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Government%20and%20administration/ID%20Eligibility%20Criteria %20for%20Renting%20Social%20Housing.pdf
[2] Fair rents plan (December 2021): https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Planning%20and%20building/BP%20Fair%20Rents%20Plan.pdf