Call to review cost of social housing rent

Too many social housing tenants in Jersey are struggling to pay their rent, a deputy says.

Raluca Kovacs, member of the political party Reform Jersey, said she had asked the States to approve finding ways of reducing accommodation rental costs in the public sector.

Resident Mandy Bisson said her monthly rent cost about £1,300, in comparison to her previous rent of £143 per week (£542 for four weeks) about eight years ago.

Housing Minister Sam Mezec said the social housing rent system needed to be reviewed.

Ms Bisson, who receives benefits after twice battling with cancer, said: "It's heart-breaking because, at the end of the day... I try and be positive but I know nothing is going to change.

"I feel really let down. It's very depressing"

According to the Statistics Jersey census 2021, there were 5,826 social housing rent households.

Kovacs said she wanted government ministers to find ways of reducing the burden on housing tenants, adding 53% of those renting in the public sector were under "rental stress".

She said: "Rental stress defines when tenants are paying more than 30% of their income into their rent.

"In the Isle of Man the social rent is three times cheaper than us... something needs to be addressed."

Housing Minister Sam Mezec said the social housing rent system needed to be reviewed.

"I think deputy Kovacs made a really good start with her proposition," he said.

"She's raising a really important topic that, I think, will affect the lives of lots of people."

Mr Mezec said he was "absolutely happy" to support Ms Kovacs on the issue.

He said: "I've specifically said that we also need to be looking at income support policies as part of this review.

"It's definitely the case that our social housing rents are a lot more expensive than you'll find in other places."

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].