07 October 2022
The Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr, has published a formal definition
of homelessness in Jersey.
The definition has been endorsed by the Jersey Homelessness Cluster, a collaboration of the
Government of Jersey and more than 30 organisations delivering emergency support and
homelessness services. The Cluster was set up to implement the Ministerial Commitments to the
independent Jersey Homelessness Strategy.
The Minister has chosen to adopt the ETHOS typology, designed by the European Federation of
National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA), to give a common language for
homelessness in the Island. ETHOS includes, in its framework, four core areas; rooflessness,
houselessness, living in insecure housing and living in inadequate housing. There are some
additions to the ETHOS categorisation to reflect Jersey.
Rooflessness – without a shelter of any kind, described by many as “sleeping rough”
Houselessness – with a place to sleep but temporarily in institutions or shelters
Living in insecure housing – threatened with exclusion because of insecure tenancies, eviction, or
domestic violence
Living in inadequate housing – in caravans or illegal campsites, in unfit housing or in extreme
overcrowding
The social rental banding system has recognised homelessness as a category of housing need for
some time. But this 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.
The definition also ensures that frontline services tackling homelessness in Jersey are working to
the same definition, which will make data gathering more consistent and enhance the
understanding of the true scale of homelessness.
The Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr, said: "Jersey is not exempt from
the challenges of homelessness, which, as this definition shows, can take on many forms and
requires varied types of support and accommodation solutions to help vulnerable Islanders who
are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
“A lot of progress has been made recently - the Housing Advice Service is up and running, with its
Critical Support Team working with the Homeless Link charity to develop its service. An excellent
new women-only homeless shelter has also been opened by the Shelter Trust, providing a crucial
missing capability in the Island’s homelessness offer. But there is still much more we need to do in
gathering data more effectively to understand the scale, so we can better address it. This definition,
which I’m publishing ahead of World Homelessness Day this coming Monday, will help with that
important objective”.
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