From Richard Train.
THE proposed reduction in the qualifying period for Housing is unlikely to stimulate the currently depressed property market. It will simply create more demand for social and A-H rented housing.

As a broad generalisation, those in the unqualified housing sector are likely to be in the lower-paid hospitality, retail, agricultural and lower levels of the finance sector, and not in a position to buy property.
The bottom-up-driven population growth in Jersey via the years in residence rule, be it 13 or ten years, does not meet the Island’s needs for a skilled workforce; it simply creates a pool of low-paid labour. It does not hold any attraction to professional people, as any nurse or teacher will tell you.

In addition, it perpetuates the two classes of Islander increasingly polarised between UK and non-UK residents. The Island needs to attract and retain qualified and experienced professionals to generate tax income and meet the needs of the Island in the public sector. By the nature of their employment, these people will normally be given essentially employed status (J-category licences), which are normally given for periods of three to five years.

If the Island wants to stimulate the housing market and improve the retention of a skilled workforce, it should look to give the right to buy to all J-category residents after a period of, say, three years. J-category workers are far more likely to have the resources and savings to buy into the housing market than those in the unqualified sector.

The proposal to reduce the housing qualifying period to ten years might be justified on grounds of social policy and reducing poverty, but it will not help the property market or attract skilled staff to the Island. To pretend otherwise is flawed and misguided and fails to meet the needs of the Island in terms of human resources.

One day perhaps the current housing laws will be torn up and a points-based system will be introduced with criminal records checks, like in other progressive jurisdictions.
15 Le Bel Mourant,
Maufant,
St Saviour.