Affordable Housing Gateway

About the Affordable Housing Gateway

Our team manages the waiting list for everyone registered for social housing.

Once you apply for social housing and we confirm your eligibility, your application is added to the waiting list.

The waiting list is accessible by all social housing providers:

Andium Homes
Jersey Homes Trust
Les Vaux Housing Trust
Clos de Paradis Housing Trust
FB Cottages Housing Trust
Christians Together in Jersey Housing Trust

Social housing providers

All social housing providers will contact you directly when they have properties available suitable for your needs.

Each housing provide manages its own properties and will guide you through the next steps if you are offered a property.

Types of accommodation and location

The type and size of property you'll be offered depends on your:

housing needs
circumstances at the time
family size

The location of the property depends on what is available with the housing providers.

Definition of Affordable Housing

There are many ways to get help with housing depending on your circumstances. For more information and support go toHousing Advice Service.

If you're interested in buying a home but need some financial help, you may be able to apply to join an affordable housing purchase scheme.

Affordable Housing Gateway privacy policy

Who qualifies

To qualify for social housing you must:

be aged 18 or over
have housing qualifications (entitled status)
have a registration card
have been resident in Jersey for at least 3 months prior to your application date

Your application will be assessed against a set of criteria to place you in the appropriate priority band.

Find more information on how we assess your application and bands.

Owning a property

You do not qualify for social housing if you own a property unless you have exceptional circumstances.

Savings and other capital assets

There is no maximum savings or other capital assets limit for social housing.

If you have savings or capital assets above £80,000 your application will be placed in Band 4 (General Need) unless you have exceptional circumstances.

18 to 25 year olds

If you're under 25, we'll meet with you to check your eligibility and to make sure you're ready to manage a tenancy.

You'll need to show that you can pay your rent through your own income and resources.

During our meeting, we'll explore financial options and direct you to any support that may help you maintain a successful tenancy.

We may refer you to services like JAYF or the Partnership Pathway if they are better placed to meet your housing and support needs.

Expecting a child

If you're expecting a child you'll be entitled to an additional bedroom as per our bedroom policy. However, your application won't be activated until you're 24 weeks pregnant. If you're adopting or fostering a child, it won't be activated until you've been approved to adopt or as a foster carer.

You probably won't be offered accommodation until your child has arrived. This is due to the high demand for social housing.

Tell us if there are special reasons why you can't stay in your current accommodation up to your due date or if it's unsuitable for new-born babies or young children. In all cases, you'll need to provide confirmation from a medical professional or supporting agency.

See how we assess your application and bands and our eligibility criteria for guidance on applicants expecting children.

Separated parents

If you are a separated parent, you can include your children on your application if you have at least 2 nights of overnight contact per week (confirmed by a Court agreement or signed letter from the other parent).

If you have majority care, you're entitled to the number of bedrooms allowed under our bedroom policy. If you have minority care, you're entitled to one additional bedroom.

Apply for affordable rented housing or a transfer

Use the form below to apply for social housing.

You can also use the form to apply for a transfer if you're already in a social housing property and need to move.

Once we receive your application, we will assess it and contact you with the outcome. We may arrange an appointment with you if necessary.

Apply for affordable rented housing or transfer

How we assess your application and bands

We assess and split applications into priority bands based on your needs and circumstances.

Applications with the highest needs will be prioritised.

Eligibility Criteria for Renting Social Housing

If your household income is below the limits in the table below you'll be placed in Bands 1 to 3 depending on your level of housing need.

Household income limits to qualify for the Affordable Housing Gateway

Number of dependent children	Maximum gross annual income
Number of dependent children	Single applicant	Joint applicant
None	£40,000	£54,000
1 child	£63,000	£71,000
2 children	£78,700	£85,800
3 or more children	£87,700	£94,800
Second parent or grandparents household (2 bed home)	£63,800	£71,000

If your income is above one of these limits, you'll normally be placed in Band 4 unless you have exceptional circumstances. Contact us to discuss further.

Band 1 (urgent need)

You fit into this band if you're:

homeless
under eviction notice (with a court order in place)
in tied accommodation that is linked to your employment
unable to live or return to your present home because of an urgent medical issue
have no rights to stay in your current accommodation
forced to live apart from family because your current accommodation is not suitable
staying in a hostel or shelter type accommodation
an existing social housing tenant who is under-occupying
seriously overcrowded (3 children or more share 1 room)

Band 2 (moderate need)

You fit into this band if:

you're overcrowded, for example:

children of opposite gender share a room and have an age gap of 5 years or more
2 children of the same gender with an age gap of 5 years or more in 1 room

you're in poor housing standards
you have moderate medical issues

Band 3 (low need)

You fit into this band if you're adequately housed but are unable to afford your rent without financial assistance.

Band 4 (general need)

You fit into this band if you're adequately housed and your income, savings or other capital assets exceed the maximum levels set by the Gateway to be placed in a higher band.

Supported Housing Band

You fit into this category if you need ongoing support to live independently. If you're in this band you'll be given the same priority as Band 1.

Andium Homes manages the Supported Housing Band through the Partnership Pathway, and you can apply for social housing with the support of a recognised partner agency.

Andium Homes

Being homeless or about to become homeless

If you're eligible for social housing through the Affordable Housing Gateway, your application will be placed to Band 1 if you're homeless or are about to become homeless. However, your application will not be changed to Band 1 if you have:

intentionally made yourself homeless
have an income, savings or other capital assets that could reasonably be used to access alternative accommodation in the private sector
been evicted from existing accommodation because of unacceptable behaviour or serious rental arrears

Housing providers do not have emergency accommodation, so it's important that you take every step you can before relying on social housing.

Speak to your landlord if:

your lease is expiring. See if you could extend it, perhaps on a monthly basis
you're being evicted. Let them know you've registered for social housing and ask if the eviction process could be delayed. Visit the Citizens Advice website to find out your rights
you cannot afford your rent. Ask if they can make any allowances in the short term and contact us to see if you qualify for Income Support

You should also:

look for accommodation in the private sector
look for short term accommodation. For example, guest houses, winter lets or hostels
ask family or friends to help you
tell us about any changes in your circumstances

For anyone on the Island who is facing homelessness they should access the Housing Advice Service for advice and support.

Waiting times to get a home

We don't know how long you'll be waiting for.

Your waiting time will depend on:

which priority band you're in
how long you've been on the waiting list
what type of property you need
what type of property is available
current demand for accommodation

Affordable Housing Gateway waiting list report

Help with paying rent

Social housing rents are generally discounted by 20% of the market equivalent for each property type.

If you're struggling to pay your rent, you may be entitled to receive Income Support.

How your Income Support benefit is made up

Changes in your circumstances

Tell us immediately if your circumstances change. This could affect your application or waiting time. Changes we need to know about include if you:

have moved address
have any medical changes
have a marriage breakdown
become pregnant
have a child move out
have a partner move out
have a new partner
have a change in your earnings
inherit any property
have any substantial increase in savings
get any new pets
are going off island for longer than 28 days

Refusing a property

You'll need to write to us explaining why you have refused a property offered to you.

We'll then reassess your application to understand your reasons. If we find that the property is suitable for your housing needs, you might either:

be moved to a lower priority band
lose your place on the waiting list

Appeal if your application is refused

If your application is refused, you can appeal by writing to the:

Affordable Housing Gateway Team

Union Street

St Helier

Jersey

JE2 3DN

You must request a review within 28 days of the decision.

A Specialist Advisor will review your application and consider any extra information you've provided. They'll let you know of the outcome.

If you're still unhappy with the decision, write to them and ask that your case is passed to the Minister for Housing for formal appeal. The Minister will make a final decision on whether you can be accepted onto the waiting list.

This does not affect your right to an independent review of any decision.