Partnership pathway

WQ.334/2025

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING BY DEPUTY I. GARDINER OF ST. HELIER NORTH

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 15th SEPTEMBER 2025 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2025

Question

"Further to the publication of the Affordable Housing Report, will the Minister advise –

1. the number of people currently awaiting housing in Band 1, and how many are –
   1. families with children;
   2. single parents;
2. the average length of time that each household, on each band, is currently waiting, from application to securing accommodation;
3. the total number of cases in the last 12 months that have involved households being directed by the Government to hotels or lodging houses;
4. what capacity Andium has to accommodate the total amount of people on the Gateway, and how this capacity is assessed;
5. what performance targets, if any, he has for Andium Homes, or the Gateway system as a whole, in relation to reducing waiting times, and if these exist, will he commit to publishing them;
6. whether there is consideration being given to homelessness legislation to provide statutory duties similar to those in the UK, due to the high demand in Band 1; and
7. what measures the Housing Advice Service are undertaking to ensure their processes for accessing the Gateway are trauma-informed and do not place additional stress on families in acute housing crisis?"

Answer

1. (i) As of 16/09, there are 56 families with children in Band 1.
   2. Of these 56 families, 37 are single parent households.
2. The figures below present average waiting times for households in each band of the Affordable Housing Gateway. However, the figures do not represent the actual length of time that each household will be waiting for a home. Applicants have unique housing needs, and not all properties that become available will be suitable to all. This is because of factors such as the property's accessibility, location and other social and welfare considerations (e.g., adaptations or proximity to support services). This means that some applicants may wait longer, whilst others may be housed more quickly.

3. The Housing Advice Service (HAS) is currently supporting 15 individuals in hotel placements, each with a tailored programme aimed at securing sustainable long-term accommodation. Due to the dynamic nature of the needs of Islanders supported by the HAS, there is not a rolling tally of those housed in temporary accommodation over the past 12-months. Instead, the data held is based on current need, which shifts frequently. The HAS contributes data to the Homelessness in Jersey report (Q1, 2025), which provides quarterly statistics on service engagement and the support provided.
4. Andium Homes has already delivered 1,436 new homes and has a further 698 new homes in construction or about to commence, including 3- and 4- bedroom family homes for rent and purchase on Bridging Island Plan sites in St John, St Peter and St Saviour. This delivery pipeline is updated monthly in the Affordable Housing Report. Andium Homes also sees a regular turnover of its existing stock, generating circa 300 new tenancy opportunities for Gateway applicants each year.

Le Grand Douet (former Mayfair Hotel), a development of 201 new 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, has just been completed, providing opportunities for some Gateway applicants to be made offers within weeks of applying to the Gateway. Indeed, all current private sector Gateway applicants requiring 3-person, 2-bedroom homes, will have been given the opportunity of a new home at Le Grand Douet in the past two weeks.

Andium also manages the Partnership Pathway, referred to in the Affordable Housing Report. The Pathway supports our most vulnerable Islanders, those in crisis, or those who may not meet the standard Gateway criteria, in accessing social housing with appropriate support packages in place from a wide range of partner agencies. The numbers of applicants on the Partnership Pathway are included in the Band 1 Gateway statistics.

I have every confidence that, other than for small numbers of very large family homes, there is enough supply. Indeed, this supply has led to a number of policy changes which have widened access to the Gateway, allowing more Islanders to enjoy the benefits of a tenancy with Andium. Andium's continued delivery of new homes provides opportunities for further widening of access to social housing in the future.

5. Andium Homes maintains performance targets for both relet times and the number of vacant properties, which are actively monitored and currently within target. Further details on these key performance indicators are available in Andium's Annual Report (2024).

The Affordable Housing Gateway does not set performance targets for reducing applicant waiting times. This is due to the inherently variable nature of housing demand and supply. Applicants have diverse and often complex housing needs, including household composition, accessibility needs, location preferences, and social or welfare considerations, which means that not all available properties are suitable for every household.

Additionally, the availability of appropriate housing stock is influenced by factors beyond the Gateway's control, such as turnover rates and development timelines. Setting rigid time-based targets risks oversimplifying these challenges and does not reflect the reality of matching applicants with suitable accommodation.

Instead, the Affordable Housing Gateway is focused on enhancing processes and prioritising applicants based on assessed need to ensure fair and effective access to social housing. More broadly, I am continuing to work closely with Andium Homes to secure the pipeline of housing developments referenced in response to (b).

6. The Jersey Homelessness Strategy proposes establishing a legal definition of homelessness and creating a statutory basis for related services and duties. A definition of homelessness was developed in 2022 with the Homelessness Cluster, which informs policy and service delivery.

I support statutory provision not simply due to demand on the Gateway, but because coordinated advice, support, and pathways are essential for those who are homeless or at risk of

homelessness. In order to get to a position where we can pass effective and purposeful legislation, my priority is to improve the scope and resourcing of the HAS, and to develop appropriate pathways, accommodation and support arrangements with other agencies.

Whilst the UK has legislated in response to rising homelessness, other countries recognised as leaders in prevention, such as Denmark and Finland, have adopted alternative approaches and housing models without relying on legal mechanisms. This contrast highlights the potential for legislation in Jersey to strengthen access to housing and support but also underscores the need to carefully consider its purpose, scope, and the resources required for effective implementation.

7. ESSH offer trauma-informed training to all colleagues and work within multiagency settings in a holistic and respectful way. ESSH also have an internal Safeguarding pathway to ensure that all customers whom we are concerned about have their needs met.