Charity's appeal amid warning over homelessness

The Indicators of Poverty report in 2023 estimated more than 1,000 men, women and children were insecurely housed

A charity has said homelessness in the island is a "huge issue" as it appeals for donations of materials to help people in need.

Reverend Daniel Foot, trustee for local homeless charity Caritas, said they wanted to raise awareness of the issue as well as "practically put roofs over people's heads".

The Indicators of Poverty report in 2023 estimated more than 1,000 men, women and children were insecurely housed in the island - an increase of about 50% since 2016.

Mr Foot said: "One of the things that we're looking at really is actually providing the materials and equipment that people will need to sleep."

Mr Foot said it was looking to source items such as sleeping bags, pillows, toothbrushes to create "a stock of equipment that we can distribute as and when needed".

He suggested islanders or organisations with flats available could also help by arranging to let out a spare room with safeguards in place.

Caritas was recently granted planning permission for two emergency sleeping pods at Vale Douzaine.

The pods were approved for an initial period of two years and would be able to be used by individuals for no more than seven consecutive nights or up to 30 nights within a calendar year.

Mr Foot said: "The aim is to provide that emergency shelter and then during those seven days to really work with them and local organisations and local islanders to try and find a more permanent solution for them."

Deputy Steve Williams, President of the Committee for Housing, said: "The committee is very supportive of the work Caritas has been doing and looks forward to seeing the first of the charity's pods realised at the Vale Douzaine in the near future.

"The committee is aware that Caritas has broader plans, and I'm hopeful that we can find a way to work with the charity to deliver that as part of a wider strategy to address the provision of support for this very vulnerable section of our community."