The Jersey Homelessness Strategic Board – an independent group which informs government policy – recently undertook research and published a plan that included eight key priorities designed to reduce, and eventually eliminate, homelessness.
Senator Sam Mézec, who resigned as Housing Minister last year in order to support a vote of no confidence against the Chief Minister, is urging ministers to accept the JHSB’s findings and publish a response ‘as a matter of priority’.
In their recommendations, the board said that a legal definition of homelessness should be provided, further research should be undertaken to investigate the scale of the issue in Jersey, a housing advice hub should be set up and provision for a housing ‘safety net’ be created for all where appropriate.
‘As Housing Minister I made tackling homelessness one of my top priorities,’ said Senator Mézec.
‘At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic I took swift action to set up an emergency-housing response team to find housing solutions quickly for people whose lives were disrupted and who were at risk of homelessness. I also introduced legislation to ban evictions and freeze rents to protect tenants. I am pleased that this work was commended by the board, and they have sought to build upon it in their report.’
Highlighting two priorities within the strategy – to strengthen the role of social housing and promote ‘positive relationships’ between private-sector tenants and landlords – Senator Mézec said he hoped the government would outline how it intended to meet the objectives presented by the board ‘as soon as possible’, so that any interested parties could get involved.
‘In the coming weeks, when the Chief Minister finally does publish the Housing Policy Development Board’s report and recommendations, I will lodge a proposition in the States Assembly to seek political approval to implement those recommendations so that we do not delay the important work which needs to be done to transform our housing system to ensure Islanders can have homes which are affordable and meet their needs,’ Senator Mézec added.
Meanwhile, the general manager of homeless men’s charity Sanctuary Trust, Brett Cutts, welcomed the strategy and said it ‘left him hopeful’ that there would now be a focused discussion about addressing the issue of homelessness in Jersey.
However, he noted that the strategy had ‘a lot in it that needs to be given substance in terms of how these objectives can be achieved’.
Mr Cutts said: ‘We know the government is interested in continuing to work with the parties involved. If the strategy can become substantive and fleshed out, then I think it is something that we can achieve.’
