Social housing tenants will have a limit on what they can earn and save from next month when a temporary change, made during the immediate post-covid era, is rescinded.
The income and nest egg thresholds are the maximum amount of net income or savings a tenant can have when living in social housing.
The thresholds are set at the levels detailed below to ensure that social housing is reserved for “people who cannot afford to rent or buy in the private market” said the Committee for Employment and Social Security.
ESS had lifted the caps in November 2021, in response to a “chronic shortage of labour”.
The States wanted to encourage more people to work by enabling social housing tenants to earn more if they wanted to, without it impacting their tenancies.
The limits were due to be imposed again in 2022, but that didn’t happen, until now.
ESS announced the change earlier today saying that the income and nest egg thresholds for existing social housing tenants, will be reinstated from 1 April 2025.
As part of their decision-making process for reintroducing the thresholds, the Committee said they consulted with key business groups and issued a survey to tenants.
After considering the responses, ESS decided that reintroducing the thresholds is “necessary to maintain fairness and ensure the continued sustainability of the social housing system”.
ESS added that any tenants who took advantage of additional work to increase their earnings to a level above the relevant 2025 income threshold should not see this reintroduction impact their tenancy.
Anyone who is concerned can call 226550 or email HousingTenancy@gov.gg to discuss their situation.