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Tenants affected by the Jersey Homes Trust's planned 9% rent hike could have the increases subsidised "in whole or in part" for up to three months - if politicians agree.
St. Helier's Deputy Geoff Southern has lodged a proposition requesting that Social Security Minister Elaine Millar and Housing Minister David Warr create a scheme to provide assistance.
The JHT, which owns and manages 839 social-rented homes across 24 estates, recently agreed to delay the increase – which was due to come into force on 1 April – by a month at the request of Deputy Warr, who described the rise as a "chunky amount of money" that "will have an impact" on tenants.
JHT Chairman Philip Le Cornu announced on Tuesday that the delay would be extended by a further two months to give tenants additional time to plan for the change.
Pictured: Deputy Geoff Southern is calling on the Housing and Social Security Ministers to create a scheme.
"The increase will now be implemented in July and subsequent rent reviews will take place annually in July," he added.
In the report accompanying his proposition, Deputy Southern said: "The rises of up to 9% in rents are clearly significant, and some would say damaging. For example, taking a minimum impact, the income support component for a one-bed flat rate within Income Support is £250.74 weekly. A 9% increase amounts to around £98 a month."
He added: "Again, taking the basic income support component for a three-bedroom house, the increase is around £134.34 a month. Without full details of the number of properties, the rental charges or the relevant assessment of those on relative low income, it is impossible to accurately identify the financial implications. This proposition is, however, time limited and costs would not be expected to exceed £250,000 and would likely be far less."
The proposal is due to be debated by the States Assembly at a later date. Deputy Warr told Express he wished to examine the proposition in detail before commenting further.
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