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What does it actually mean to be homeless today? The Government has recently released its own official ‘definition’, which includes four different ways of looking at the issue… So what does it say? And why does having a definition matter?
Today, on World Homeless Day, Express explores the issue…
While many may see homelessness through the stereotypical lens of 'sleeping rough', it is actually more complex – some individuals may have a physical roof over their head, but that does not necessarily mean their housing situation is 'secure'.
That’s one of the things the new formal definition released by Housing Minister Deputy David Warr aims to address.
Taking a lead from the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless, the Minister’s definition is split into four broad categories:
This counts people living ‘rough’ – “in the streets or public spaces, without a shelter that can be defined as living quarters” – or in emergency accommodation like a night shelter.
Individuals in this category may have a place to sleep, but only temporarily, such as a shelter, women’s refuge, migrant workers’ accommodation.
It also includes those who have been staying in institutions – such as for drug rehabilitation or mental health care – whose stay has been extended there due to a lack of housing, and care leavers without a place to go by the time of their 18th birthday.
This can include people facing eviction or living under threat of domestic violence, as well as those living temporarily with family or friends, squatters, and households with less than five years’ residency.
Anyone living in caravans or illegal campsites or in unfit housing such as makeshift shelters or shacks, huts or cabins. People living in extreme overcrowding – defined as “exceeding national density standard for floor-space or useable rooms” – will also be considered as living in “inadequate housing”.
The need for a definition was first raised as an urgent priority in December 2018, and its need was reiterated in the Homelessness Strategy released in November 2020.
The key concept is that, if homelessness is properly defined, then its true scale can be properly measured and that targeted action can be taken to combat it. Enshrining the definition in law may also lead to certain statutory obligations to help vulnerable people being placed on government.
Pictured: Homelessness covers 'houselessness', which includes living in temporary accommodation, such as a shelter.
While the island’s social rental banding system has recognised homelessness as a category of housing need for some time, a more precise definition will better inform policies and procedures as to the type and level of assistance that a person can access, such as advice and help in securing accommodation.
Not yet.
Explaining why the definition was not a legal one for now, Deputy Warr said: “Although I plan to place the definition in legislation, I want to avoid the inevitable delays this can create.
“I want us to start capturing the data that this definition will provide so we can move in the right direction.”
In the meantime, the Minister pledged that he would continue working with local organisations to “better understand what government can do to tackle homelessness and its impact.”
The Jersey Homeless Strategic Board – a group of representatives from charitable and social housing organisations with understanding of those without a home - this morning lauded the definition as an “important step”.
However, they noted that it was “not enough” alone, and that the Minister needed to move quickly to place the definition in legislation.
“Credit where credit is due though” said Chair Simon Burgess, “the Minister has taken positive action by bringing forward the definition whilst also undertaking to ensure we know how many people fall into which sub-definition at any one time.
“We are in for a big surprise when we discover the true nature of homelessness in Jersey.”
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