Around 50 young people in Jersey are classified as 'homeless'

Friday, 17 January 2025 11:00

The number of homeless people in Jersey has risen according to the most recent data.

Within the span of three months, 26 more islanders have found themselves homeless.

The Housing Minister's latest report shows a jump from 220 houseless, roofless and insecure residents in June 2024 to 246 at the end of September the same year.

Accurate data has also been collected for the first time detailing how many islanders under 25 are experiencing homelessness. This is because youth homelessness charity JAYF, which houses young people in need, has now submitted its data to the report.

49 islanders under 25 years old have been recorded as homeless.

The report says this is partly down to a large number in that age group requiring support to live and manage independently, but that support not being on offer.

8% of all homelessness cases in this period are down to people 18 - 25 needing greater help.

Jennifer Lay, CEO of JAYF, tells us what tends to lead young islanders to become at risk for homelessness:

"The reason for most of our residents coming to us is due to relationship breakdown. This can be within the family unit or with a boyfriend, girlfriend or partner.

"What we often see is families relocating off-island but the young person wants to remain on the island, having grown up here."

The homelessness report also shows that between June - September 2024, the number of 'employed homeless' people has risen to nearly a third.

Substance abuse remains the most common reason for men facing homeless, with fleeing domestic abuse being the causation for women.