Women fleeing domestic abuse and their children are among those homeless charities have been forced to turn away as demand for emergency accommodation continues to rise.

In a report published last week, Sanctuary Trust said that addiction and mental-health problems were driving more men into homelessness, and warned that “unless services improve, the demand for homelessness support will only keep growing”.

Meanwhile, Freeda said that Jersey’s housing rules and lack of follow-on accommodation were preventing abuse survivors from moving into secure homes while also blocking spaces for new arrivals – particularly women with children.

The government’s Homelessness in Jersey Report showed that 341 Islanders needed help between April and June this year – up from 304 in the previous quarter and 204 during the same period last year.

“Significant capacity challenges”

Of those, 194 people were living in temporary accommodation such as hostels or shelters – up from 188 in the first quarter of 2025 and 180 in the same period last year.

Freeda – formerly Jersey Women’s Refuge – said it faced “significant capacity challenges” that meant some people seeking emergency accommodation had to be turned away.

The domestic abuse charity said it was “unable to accommodate a number of women fleeing domestic abuse” due to either no capacity or unsuitable rooms on site.

It added that many families staying long-term “do not yet have 10-year residency status”, which “complicates their access to stable housing” and leads to prolonged stays – in turn reducing space for new arrivals in urgent need.

Freeda supported 17 service users during the quarter, seven of whom had remained from the previous period.

Youth referrals “have climbed noticeably”

Sanctuary Trust, which supports men experiencing homelessness, said it had also been running “consistently at full capacity” throughout the second quarter and was “often unable to take new residents”.

In the report, the charity wrote: “The main causes of homelessness for men – substance use, mental-health challenges, and young adults aged 18–25 needing support – reflect exactly what we’ve been seeing for the last several quarters.

“What stands out is the rise in young people needing support. Over the past year, referrals of 18–25-year-olds have climbed noticeably.

“Economic pressures in the housing market are certainly part of the story, but the lack of adequate mental-health services for young people is making things worse. Without proper support, struggles spiral, and we’re seeing more young people falling into homelessness.”

The Trust said addiction, trauma and depression were “almost always at the root” of homelessness, and warned that “unless services improve, the demand for homelessness support will only keep growing”.

“Limited” affordable

The Shelter Trust – the Island’s largest homelessness provider – was also close to full capacity in its emergency housing at Aztec House in St Helier – where 50 people stayed during the quarter.

It said one of its biggest challenges was supporting Islanders with ‘registered’ status who were not entitled to funding if they were unable to secure work.

Affordability and credit checks a “barrier” to rental

It added that “ongoing barriers to service users moving into independent living outside of Shelter include individuals on waiting lists for accommodation with social-housing providers”.

“For individuals unable to access social housing, the availability of affordable private rental accommodation is limited.

“A further barrier in seeking accommodation in the private sector is the requirement for a deposit, credit checks and references.”