Common Strategic Policy 2026 – 2030 (P.75/2026): seventh amendment (P.75/2026 Amd.(7)) – amendment. Home Ownership

COMMON STRATEGIC POLICY 2026-2030 (P.75/2026): SEVENTH

AMENDMENT (P.75/2026 AMD.(7)) – AMENDMENT

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1  PAGE 2, PART (a) –

Substitute the word "Prioritise" with the word "Support" and the word "support" with the word "improve".

DEPUTY B.B. DE S.V.M. PORÉE OF ST. HELIER SOUTH

Note:  After this amendment, the amendment would read as follows –

After the words "report accompanying this Proposition" insert the words –

", except that, on page 13 of the report –

1. there should be inserted a new action 6.2 as follows, with the subsequent actions redesignated accordingly –

"6.2 Support home ownership in Jersey to improve the economic wellbeing and social mobility of Islanders"; and

2. after the words "quality of life", there should be inserted the following paragraph –

"In  order  to  improve  the  economic  wellbeing  and  social  mobility  of Islanders, we must ensure that the rate of home ownership in Jersey is improved over the long-term. We must commit to inclusive education and the creation of high-value and high-income roles to support Islanders wishing to become homeowners."".

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

in accordance with Article 18(2)(e) of the States of Jersey Law 2005, to approve the statement of the Common Strategic Policy of the Council of Ministers as set out in the report accompanying this Proposition, except that, on page 13 of the report –

1. there  should  be  inserted  a  new  action  6.2  as  follows,  with  the subsequent actions redesignated accordingly –

"6.2  Support  home  ownership  in  Jersey  to  improve  the economic wellbeing and social mobility of Islanders"; and

2. after the words "quality of life", there should be inserted the following paragraph –

"In order to improve the economic wellbeing and social mobility of Islanders, we must ensure that the rate of home ownership in Jersey is improved over the long-term. We must commit to inclusive education and  the  creation  of  high-value  and  high-income  roles  to  support Islanders wishing to become homeowners.".

REPORT

This amendment to the 7th Amendment to the Common Strategic Policy 2026-2030 ("CSP") is a minor change to wording, to hopefully assist those in rental housing whilst also supporting those Islanders seeking home ownership.

While increasing home ownership must remain a long-term aspiration for Islanders, this should not be achieved through the reduction of Jersey's social and affordable rental housing stock. Social housing plays a critical role in supporting lower and middle- income households, key workers, families and vulnerable Islanders who are unable to access the open market. Maintaining an adequate supply of affordable rented homes is therefore essential to social inclusion and economic stability.

As the Deputy points out in his amendment, in 2021 the rate of homeownership on the Island stands at 54%1. This means that 46% of Islanders live in rented accommodation.

Our rental market, especially our social housing market, is an important part of the accommodation market. Many will aspire to be homeowners whilst some will always be content to rent. We must ensure that, for those looking to or needing to rent, that there is always a good supply of homes. There is a risk that, when one sector is prioritised over another, the unintended consequence to our social housing sector.

The Bridging Island Plan identified that there had been a shift towards affordable purchase housing, with recorded need indicating a split of 55% for affordable purchase housing and 45% for affordable rental housing. Shifting homeownership to being the priority' may result in a change in this tenure split and result in less social rental homes being built.

With the amendment as currently drafted, the priority given to homeownership may drive a policy change to our social housing providers to start selling off housing. The result of which may lead to a diminishing supply for those who critically need it.

Conclusion

This amendment to Amendment 7 strikes a balance between homeownership and rental, without removing the positive intent of the original amendment.

• The  change  from  Priority'  to  Support'  will  keep  homeownership  as  an important part of this CSP, without the compromise to other parts of our housing market.

• The  change  from  support'  to  improve'  reinforces  the  point  that homeownership actually improves economic wellbeing, especially in later life, and proves a stepping stone for social mobility.

Finally, I would like to note that my amendment makes no change to the additional paragraph proposed by Amendment 7. That additional paragraph reemphasises other parts of the CSP, which acknowledge that education, skill, and re-skilling, are essential

1Bridging Island Plan – March 2022 https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Government%20and%20administration/R%20Ce nsusFinalReport%2020221213%20SJ.pdf

for Jersey's future economic growth. It seeks to ensure that the CSP is not all about the economy, but about the individuals as well. By empowering Islanders, we increase economic output and this will in turn, lead to increased home ownership.

Financial and staffing implications

This is a minor amendment to priorities and to policy – it seeks to support those in rental properties and those seeking home ownership.

Children's Rights Impact Assessment

I consider that this amendment has no direct or indirect impact on children and that the duty to have due regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child does not arise. Accordingly, a Children's Rights Impact Assessment is not required under the Children (Convention Rights) (Jersey) Law 2022.