The Jersey government has gathered reliable data on the extent of homelessness on the island, according to Housing Minister Deputy Sam Mézec.
Mézec stated that the Government of Jersey collaborated with partner agencies to address the lack of meaningful data on homelessness in the past. The report, focusing on the second quarter of 2024, revealed that 180 individuals were classified as "houseless."
Key findings showed that 75% of those recorded as homeless were male, while 25% were female. Additionally, 220 visits were made by 204 islanders to homeless accommodation and service providers during this period, with 180 people living in temporary shelters. Among males, substance abuse was identified as the leading cause of homelessness, affecting 14%. For women, 39% became homeless due to the risk or experience of domestic violence.
Mézec expressed gratitude to the agencies involved, highlighting the importance of the data in understanding the demand on various providers and their responses to homelessness. “The data provides a deeper understanding of the level of demand and how providers are responding to homelessness,” he said. “However, it’s important to remember that behind these statistics are personal stories, and we must never lose sight of the human side of this issue.” The organisations that contributed data include The Shelter Trust, FREEDA, the Sanctuary Trust, and the government's housing advice service.