As Guernsey’s housing crisis continues to bite, with a waiting list often forming for the emergency sleeping pods in the Vale, two more could be set up in town.
Caritas said its new pods will be installed at the harbour – if the charity gets planning permission.
The Harbour Master has already agreed they can be put on the land “between the Queen Elizabeth II Marina and La Salerie car park”.
This suggests the pods would go on either the southern tip of Salerie corner or the northern end of the ‘east arm’.
“This is a very worthy initiative led by Caritas which will help members of our community when they need it most,” said James Way, Harbour Master.
“Guernsey Ports is pleased to make a small contribution by identifying a suitable location on the harbour estate for the emergency sleeping pods.”
Caritas said it is in the “process of installing” the two emergency sleeping pods, which will double the available short-term accommodation for people experiencing homelessness or who have no other safe place to stay.
The first two were set up at the Vale Douzaine Rooms at the end of last year.
Caritas Chair, Graham Merfield said since they were installed, the Vale pods have provided accommodation for more than 100 nights to people who needed them.
“The demand for the sleeping pods has varied considerably during the first half of this year, and we have often found ourselves with a waiting list of people who need somewhere safe to sleep,” he explained.
“Our aim is to ensure that anyone who needs to use an emergency sleeping pod has access to one when they need it. The additional pods will give us greater capacity and provide an alternative location to complement the existing facility at the Vale.
“The pods are not a solution to homelessness in themselves, but they provide an immediate, safe and dignified place to stay while people work towards finding more permanent accommodation.”
The two new pods will be based on the same design as the ones in the Vale.
They will be self-contained units designed to provide “safe, short-term emergency accommodation, with solar power, battery storage and their own toilet facilities”.
Caritas provides oversight and support to users while helping them to access longer-term accommodation and other appropriate services.
The charity thanked Guernsey Ports, DRP Architects, and Channel Seaways for their collective help in securing the site, planning permission, and transportation of the pods.
