More Islanders will be eligible to access rented social housing from January, following changes to the Affordable Housing Gateway criteria.
The Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr, has increased the income thresholds for single people, couples and families applying to the Gateway. The changes bring the Gateway’s criteria in line with Income Support.
From 1 January 2023, the new income limits will range from £32,000 per annum (single applicant with no children) up to £72,700 per annum (joint applicant with three children or more). The current limit for a single applicant with no children is £23,000, and £64,400 for a joint applicant with three children or more.
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.
“Islanders often apply to the Gateway because they need support in finding a home that meets their needs. 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 am especially pleased to be offering an enhanced increase for single applicant households, recognising that they are often the most financially stretched.
“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. I also think that allowing more people to access the Gateway will help identify our housing needs.”
This update is in line with Deputy Warr’s Ministerial Plan, in which one of his priorities is to deliver fair and sustainable changes to the Affordable Housing Gateway eligibility criteria. Deputy Warr will be reviewing the age criteria for the Gateway in April, which will mark one year since the age restriction was reduced from 50 to 40.
Applications can be submitted now by those who are eligible for the new income limits on 1 January, from which date their applications will become active. The fully updated eligibility conditions will be published on gov.je on Sunday 1 January
More Islanders will be eligible to access rented social housing from January, following changes to the Affordable Housing Gateway criteria.
The Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr, has increased the income thresholds for single people, couples and families applying to the Gateway. The changes bring the Gateway’s criteria in line with Income Support.
From 1 January 2023, the new income limits will range from £32,000 per annum (single applicant with no children) up to £72,700 per annum (joint applicant with three children or more). The current limit for a single applicant with no children is £23,000, and £64,400 for a joint applicant with three children or more.
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.
“Islanders often apply to the Gateway because they need support in finding a home that meets their needs. 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 am especially pleased to be offering an enhanced increase for single applicant households, recognising that they are often the most financially stretched.
“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. I also think that allowing more people to access the Gateway will help identify our housing needs.”
This update is in line with Deputy Warr’s Ministerial Plan, in which one of his priorities is to deliver fair and sustainable changes to the Affordable Housing Gateway eligibility criteria. Deputy Warr will be reviewing the age criteria for the Gateway in April, which will mark one year since the age restriction was reduced from 50 to 40.
Applications can be submitted now by those who are eligible for the new income limits on 1 January, from which date their applications will become active.
The fully updated eligibility conditions will be published on gov.je on Sunday 1 January.
Government of Jersey News Release