Wage cap reintroduced for Guernsey States housing

Earnings thresholds are being reintroduced for Guernsey States housing after being suspended four years ago.

Employment and Social Security (ESS) said it would reintroduce thresholds for income and savings from 1 April to ensure social housing was reserved for people unable to "rent or buy in the private market".

It means families with three or more children earning more than £76,400 or with more than £81,000 in savings would no longer be eligible.

ESS said the thresholds were suspended in 2021 to tackle recruitment challenges on the island, but were being reintroduced to make things "fairer" and "more sustainable" after a survey of businesses and tenants.

The new income thresholds vary for single people and couples without children and depending on the number of children.

Income thresholds:

• Single person with no children: £32,240 (or £39,520 for 2 bed)
• Couple with no children: £40,040 (or £47,320)
• Family with 1 child: £54,080
• Family with 2 children: £69,160
• Family with 3 or more children: £76,440

Nest egg savings thresholds:

• Single person with no children: £15,000 (or £45,000 for existing tenants)
• Couple with no children: £18,000 (or £54,000 for existing tenants)
• Family with 1 child: £20,000 (or £60,000 for existing tenants)
• Family with 2 children: £25,000 (or £75,000 for existing tenants)
• Family with 3 or more children: £27,000 (or £81,000 for existing tenants)

People claiming disability benefit can add £3,525,34 (or £10,576.02 for existing tenants)

The thresholds are based on the tenant's housing need and not on their current property size, the States said.

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