New Charity To Tackle Homelessness

Wednesday, 28 February 2024 10:30

'At Home In Guernsey' is the island's first charity dedicated to helping people living without permanent or adequate accommodation.

Its main focus will be on providing one-to-one support for those affected, but it also hopes to make people more aware of the issue and help Guernsey's States develop policies to tackle it.

The Guernsey Community Foundation has established the organisation following its 2022 'Homelessness in Guernsey' report, which found that it was a significant, yet hidden problem in the Bailiwick.

This conclusion was reinforced by the States Indicators of Poverty report, which estimated that more than 1,000 men, women and children were 'insecurely housed'.

This is an increase of nearly 50% since 2016.

Foundation Chief Executive Jim Roberts says this is a crucial issue to tackle:

"At Home In Guernsey will help individuals and families who have lost, or who are at risk of losing, a roof over their head —something most of us take for granted.

If you don't have somewhere safe, accessible and affordable to live, the consequences can be catastrophic."

Specsavers has committed to funding the organisation for three years.

The charity is expected to be operational in around 18 months and will be advertising for a chief executive shortly.