Jersey Housing Minister Proposes Prioritizing Homes for Domestic Abuse Victims

Enhanced assistance may be offered to individuals in Jersey who have experienced domestic abuse as they transition from temporary shelter to permanent independent housing. Deputy Sam Mezec, the Housing Minister, indicated in a report his intention to give precedence to housing applications submitted by victims and survivors. This report addresses suggestions put forth by the Taskforce on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Mr. Mezec stated that victims and survivors are entitled to “safe, secure and affordable homes.” This statement follows a homelessness report from October, which revealed that 39% of homeless women were either experiencing or fleeing domestic violence. He remarked: “Access to housing must never be a barrier for victim-survivors to leave abusive relationships and seeking the help they need to rebuild their lives. “Many victim-survivors of VAWG are forced to flee their homes, which has a devastating and long-lasting impact on them and, in many cases, their children. “This includes losing stable housing, which makes them particularly vulnerable to homelessness.” The report details several priorities, such as establishing policies to assist tenants experiencing abuse, enhancing data on the quantity and categories of housing required for victims and survivors, reinforcing housing assistance to help them secure and retain appropriate residences, and creating avenues for them to obtain suitable homes. Mr. Mezec noted that “a strong foundation to build further work on” already exists, thanks to the assistance offered by the charities FREEDA and Shelter Trust, as well as the government-owned Andium Homes and its Housing Advice Service. He added: “”We must do all we can to ensure that victim-survivors are able to get help with housing at the earliest possible opportunity, and in a manner that is sensitive to their needs,” he said.”