A homelessness strategy will be drawn up using much more data than has been collected previously.
Housing President Deputy Steve Williams told the States that the new committee will work with charities to draw up a strategy that will feature a wide array of information to understand the scale of the problem.
“One of the earliest identified issues is a lack of data about the scale of the issue. We know there have been an increasing number of people who have found themselves homeless or in a precarious housing situation, but this is principally anecdotal,” he said.
“We have very little data about the demographics of the need, and the solution must fit the need, things like gender, household composition, health factors, and indeed the root causes of their situation will all help target a response.”
Housing will be working with At Home in Guernsey, a charity set up last year to tackle homelessness offering advice and support.
It’s estimated there are over 1,000 people who are homeless or insecurely housed in the island, with most of it hidden from public view.
Deputy Williams acknowledged that there needs to be a balance between collecting data and taking action, noting that committee member Deputy Gary Collins would head up efforts against homelessness.
The Committee has also taken over the running of St Julian’s House, which has 30 beds.
Deputy Williams said they will speak with homelessness charities, such as Action for Children and Maison Saint Pierre, to identify measures that can support people in need over the Christmas period.
Sepertaley, politicians pressed Deputy Williams on if the committee was looking at rent and relocation subsidies for key workers, and the possibility of capping private market rent prices.
He said while he was “extremely concerned” about rent inflation he suggested caps are a “sensitive area” and pointed to examples where it hasn’t worked well in practice elsewhere.
“We don’t want to scare landlords away but we are concerned about affordability,” Deputy Williams said, adding that conversations will continue with counterparts in Jersey.
Enhanced laws that benefit tenants and landlords will be delivered in the early part of 2026 by the Housing Committee.