Housing Discrimination

Currently Jersey’s Housing Law is discriminatory and arguably the cause of discontent and the acute shortage of affordable accommodation. An estimated 21% of the island’s working population are forced to live in either unregistered or registered lodging houses.

The indigenous population and wealthy immigrants are allowed to lease or buy property. Essentially employed are permitted to rent the type of accommodation they can afford. 5,500 immigrants are in unqualified accommodation. Does the system work? No. Is it fair? NO.

The effect of this is that many of the immigrants who come to Jersey to live, work, and contribute to the island’s economy are expected to live and raise children in overpriced lodging house accommodation. Conditions are often cramped and not very suitable for children. Evidence has shown that children brought up in cramped conditions, without anywhere to play, fail to reach their full potential and often develop a fear of space.

In addition, lack of privacy can have serious repercussions. Records indicate that domestic violence is on the increase as is family breakdown, drug abuse and crime.

Lodging house accommodation does not have security of tenure and occupants can be evicted on a landlord’s whim.

Unregistered lodgings:  The potential for exploitation is increased for people in unregistered accommodation. Private unregistered lodging houses are allowed to provide accommodation for 5 persons and stories abound of some landlords charging £100 per person for the priviledge of sharing a small room and facilities. 

The long wait for housing qualifications and the high cost of buying a house requires a fresh appraisal. Equal access to rental properties and home ownership is the cornerstone of social justice. 

Update

A new migration law to manage how people access work and accommodation in Jersey could be passed by the States of Jersey. Details of the proposals for this new law can be found on the States website or by clicking on the following link.

Whilst the trust is pleased that a new proposal has been put forward and also with some of the detail within the proposal, such as the reduction of the qualifying period to 10 years continuous residence, the Trust still feels the proposal has not gone far enough. The Trust does not believe that this proposal will address many of the accommodation problems faced by immigrants.

The consultation period for this proposal ended September 2009 and the Trust compiled this response.The document is not long and therefore the Trust recommends that you read it in its entirety however in summary the main point made by the Trust is that it believes that further research should be undertaken in many areas, particularly the wider social and economic consequences of the two tier housing system.   

A response to the consultation period for part 2 of the law has now been completed by the States of Jersey Population office and can be found by clicking on this link - findings report. There are not many amendments made resulting from the consultation however some minor amendments have been made. We will keep you updated as the new migration law is developed.