Affordable Housing Gateway

WQ.228/2026

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING BY DEPUTY S.J. GLEAVE OF ST. HELIER SOUTH

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 26th OCTOBER 2026 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 2nd NOVEMBER 2026

Question

"Will the Minister provide the following information in respect of the Affordable Housing Gateway –

1. further to the response to Written Question 195/2026, the number of Band 1 applicants currently awaiting social rented accommodation, broken down by property size required and distinguishing between new applicants and existing social housing tenants seeking transfers;
2. the number of existing social housing tenants awaiting transfers, broken down by reason, including overcrowding, under-occupation, medical need and other recorded reasons;
3. the number of households allocated social rented accommodation during the last 12 months who have subsequently reapplied to the Gateway or requested a transfer, together with the reasons recorded for doing so;
4. whether applicants who accept accommodation  which does not meet their assessed housing requirements retain their original application date and priority status when subsequently applying for a transfer; and
5. what policies or procedures, if any, apply when an applicant accepts accommodation which does not meet their assessed housing requirements, including any arrangements for maintaining their position on the waiting list?"

Answer

1. The number of applicants in Band 1 on the Affordable Housing Gateway currently awaiting social housing, broken down by bedroom requirement and applicant type, is set out below.

For the purposes of this data, "new applicants" refers to applicants currently living in private sector accommodation. The figures are correct as of 27 October 2026.

2. The number of existing social housing tenants awaiting a transfer across all Bands, broken down by application type recorded by the Affordable Housing Gateway, is set out below. The figures are correct as of 27 October 2026 and include all active transfer applications.

3. The Affordable Housing Gateway does not hold data in a form that identifies households allocated social housing during the previous 12 months who have subsequently reapplied to the Gateway or requested a transfer, together with the reasons for doing so. This information is therefore not available.
4. The Affordable Housing Gateway undertakes a comprehensive assessment of applicants' housing needs, supported by professional evidence where appropriate. Applicants are then prioritised and allocated available accommodation by social housing providers, having regard to their assessed housing needs, priority on the waiting list and the suitability of the property. Once a person has entered into a tenancy, the accommodation provided would ordinarily reflect their assessed housing needs.

The Affordable Housing Gateway eligibility criteria do not make provision for retaining an original application date or priority where an applicant has been allocated accommodation and entered into a tenancy. Any departure from this approach would require exceptional consideration outside the standard eligibility criteria.

Existing social housing tenants may apply for a transfer where a change in their circumstances gives rise to a demonstrable housing need that cannot be met within their current home. Any such application is assessed in accordance with the published transfer, banding and waiting list criteria.

5. Access to social housing is underpinned by a comprehensive assessment process undertaken by the Affordable Housing Gateway. The assessment framework is designed to ensure that applicants are allocated accommodation appropriate to their assessed housing needs.

The eligibility criteria do not contain specific provisions relating to applicants accepting accommodation that does not meet those needs, including provision for maintaining a position on the waiting list following allocation of a property.

Properties are allocated on the basis of an applicant's assessed housing needs and the information recorded in their application. Social housing providers should only make offers of accommodation that are suitable for those needs, including any relevant medical or support requirements.

Where concerns arise that an offered or allocated property does not reflect an applicant's assessed housing needs, the Gateway and the relevant social housing provider would review the circumstances and determine whether any action is required to ensure those needs are appropriately addressed.