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More Islanders will be able to rent social housing from the government next year, following an increase to the income limits which govern who can apply.
The Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr, has said he will increase the thresholds for what's known as the Affordable Housing Gateway, to bring them into line with the criteria for Income Support.
Currently, the threshold limit is an income of £23,000 for a single applicant with no children, and £64,400 for a joint applicant with three children or more.
Pictured: The Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr.
From 1 January 2023, the new income limits will range from £32,000 per annum for single applicant with no children, and up to £72,700 per annum for a joint applicant with three children or more.
In April, Deputy Warr will be reviewing the age criteria for the Gateway, exactly a year after the age restriction was reduced from 50 to 40.
Deputy Warr said: “I think this is an important change that recognises the turbulent economic conditions we now face.The significant increase in the cost of living is having the greatest impact on the most vulnerable in our society; we need to support them.
Pictured: The new income limits will range from £32,000 per annum for single applicant with no children, up to £72,700 per annum for a joint applicant with three children or more.
"Having reviewed more than 100 applications that were refused on grounds of income, I was struck by how close applicants were to the income threshold. By moving to an alignment with Income Support, I would estimate that 7 out of 10 of those refused applications would now qualify for the Gateway.
“I recognise that widening access to the Gateway will increase demand. But Andium Homes are on track to build 3,000 new properties by 2030.”
Applications can be submitted now by those who are eligible for the new income limits on 1 January.
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