The Minister for Housing has announced changes to social housing and assisted home ownership eligibility policies, aimed at making it easier for Jersey residents to secure a home.
One key change is the lowering of the minimum age requirement for childless individuals applying for social housing. Effective today (Monday, 30 September), Islanders aged 25 and over without children are now eligible to apply for social housing. This follows a previous adjustment in March, when the age limit was reduced from 35 to 30. Islanders with children can apply from age 18, and those with medical, physical, or mental disabilities can also apply at 18 if they require specialised housing.
In addition, the Minister has introduced changes to make it simpler for Islanders to qualify for assisted home ownership schemes. The new policy acknowledges that some individuals may seek to purchase property later in life and provides the Minister with discretion to approve applications from those with higher incomes who are unable to secure adequate mortgage terms due to their age. Applicants must demonstrate their need for assistance to purchase a suitable home.
Commenting on the changes, Housing Minister Deputy Sam Mézec said, "These updates will make it easier for more Islanders to find the right home. Lowering the social housing application age from 30 to 25 is a significant step towards making social housing an attractive option for a wider range of people. Young Islanders should not be excluded, and I’m proud to implement this change."
He added that the policy shift has been made possible by Andium Homes’ investment in building new homes, with over 1,000 properties set to be delivered by 2027. "As more homes become available next year, it's important for Islanders to know they can now apply for social housing through the Affordable Housing Gateway," he said.
Mézec also emphasised the importance of home ownership being accessible to older Islanders: "The Government of Jersey supports home ownership and wants it to be attainable for as many residents as possible. The changes to the assisted home ownership scheme will help older Islanders struggling to secure an affordable mortgage."