FIRST-TIME buyer policies will be evaluated and adapted to make it easier for growing families to move up the property ladder, the Housing Minister has said.
Speaking during States question time, Deputy Sam Mézec said that he had already implemented changes which make it easier for families to “regain their first-time buyer status” while adding that he would like to see more support offered for those downsizing and thereby freeing up family homes.
Deputy Lucy Stephenson had asked whether a section in the Assisted Purchase Pathway Eligibility Criteria, which states that the size of home a person wishes to purchase should “reasonably reflect the needs of the household at the time of the application”, should be changed or removed completely.
In response, the minister said: “The short answer is that I am very open to amending that part of the criteria. The longer version of that answer is I am committed to adapting our first-time buyer policies which is referenced in the Investing in Jersey programme.”
One of the core pillars in the government’s Investing in Jersey strategy is a commitment to delivering hundreds of affordable homes each year.
Deputy Mézec added: “During my tenure as Housing Minister, expanding eligibility for affordable housing has been something I have done and something I have said publicly that I want to go further on the moment the supply of homes enables it.
“I am hoping relatively soon to be able to publish an evaluation of the steps that I have already taken so far in this regard and give greater clarity on the next steps than I have been able to give so far.
“I would go a little further then that and say there will be quite a lot on the table as to what we can do to adapt our first-time buyers policies to make them more accessible.”
