Are there enough homes in Jersey?

Thursday 14 May 2015

Backbenchers want to find out if there is enough affordable housing in the Island.

The Environment, Housing and Technical Services Scrutiny Panel has begun a review into the supply of housing.

The Panel say they will examine the factors which affect both the supply of housing in Jersey and its affordability and will explore what the Council of Ministers proposes to do to improve the supply and affordability of homes in the Island.

Panel Chairman Connétable Simon Crowcroft said: “The availability and affordability of housing in Jersey are regularly cited by Islanders as key issues which affect them. A number of initiatives have been taken by the States Assembly and the Council of Ministers over recent years to try to address these challenges and, indeed, we understand that the Minister for Housing will shortly publish a Housing Strategy.

"In our review, however, we want to clarify what factors affect the supply and affordability of housing – and in particular, what impact the planning process has on these issues. We also want to challenge the Council of Ministers on how it intends to increase supply and improve affordability and to assess how likely it is that those measures will succeed.”

The panel has already written to interested parties to request written submissions. In due course, the panel will also put out a call for evidence as the panel wishes to hear the public’s views on these matters. Evidence will also be sought directly from the Ministers for Housing and for Planning and Environment.

The panel plans to complete its review by the time of the summer recess of the States Assembly in July.