“Highest priority” cases in seven-month housing wait

Thursday 17 January 2019

Islanders who are homeless, seriously ill or under threat of eviction are being forced to wait over half a year before gaining social housing, despite being Andium's "highest priority", it has emerged.

These applicants, deemed to be Andium’s “highest priority” are currently facing waiting times of around seven months or more without being housed, according to statistics released by the Housing Minister following a question from Deputy Kevin Pamplin.

The data shows that 237 people - 28% of those applying for rented social housing overall - fall into the “highest priority” category or ‘band one’ of applications.

Pictured: 237 people are on the "highest priority" list.

However, despite the urgency of their situations, many of these cases who are currently on the waiting list have been pending for around seven months without being housed in the face of homelessness, eviction or illness.

Commenting on the figures, Senator Mézec told Express: “While there is still considerable demand for social rented housing, and applicants need to wait a number of months to be allocated a home, the waiting times compare extremely favourably with UK local authorities.

“All applications are prioritised according to need. High priority applicants (people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless) will be supported to access a new home as soon as possible. 

Pictured: Senator Sam Mézec responded to the written question about waiting times via the affordable housing gateway.

“One of my priorities is to address the issue of homelessness in Jersey, and I am working to improve support and accommodation for people who are homeless or have insecure housing situations.”

The news comes ahead of the release of a States-commissioned report on Housing Needs in the island later today.

As of 11 January, the total applications on what is known as the ‘Affordable Housing Gateway’ was 2081, made up of “838 applications for social rented accommodation and 1243 applications for assistance to purchase a home”.

The applications are sorted into six different ‘bands’ depending on the urgency of their case. The bands are as follows:

Pictured: The priority bands which categorise applications via the affordable housing gateway (States of Jersey/Housing Minister).

Of these 838 applications for social rented housing, 237 of them come from those in the highest priority band due to reasons such as being “homeless, under eviction notice” or have “urgent medical issues”. 

It has also emerged that nearly 300 applications fall into the next highest band (band two) which includes islanders who need new accommodation as a result of overcrowded conditions or poor housing standards.

The figures show that these applicants in band two who are currently on the waiting list have been pending for an average of ten months without being housed so far. 

The demographics of each of the priority bands were also disclosed, showing that 22 couples with children and 35 single parents are amongst the highest priority band and 100 families with children under the age of 18 fall into the second band.

Pictured: The Ann Court housing development was recently put on hold.

The figures come at a difficult time for the island in terms of housing.

A £30million development at Ann Court - just behind the Arts Centre in town - was due to deliver 165 new homes, but has been shelved while the site is assessed for its potential as a new States Headquarters.

The issue has led to friction within the Council of Ministers, with the frustrations of Housing Minister Senator Sam Mézec and Chairman of Andium Frank Walker being revealed in a series of emails published under the Freedom of Information Law this week.

“I very much hope you will be able to persuade the cM that this makes no sense at all, particularly as Ann Court is totally compliant with the Island Plan, plays a major role in the regeneration of St. Helier, provides 156 units of much needed accommodation, [redacted]," Mr Walker wrote to Senator Mézec.

It remains unknown when a decision will finally be taken, but development of the area is likely to be put off for half a year or more, as indicated by a planning application submitted by the Department of Growth, Housing and Environment for the current car park to remain in place for six months. It is yet to receive approval.