One Islander, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was one of about 25 Islanders living in the Hotel de Normandie, but that he would have to leave at the end of this month.
‘There are people with literally nowhere to go and many are considering prison,’ he said. ‘The hotels want to end any government contract[s], and there are not enough properties. Many are going to be homeless and there’s nothing they can do.’
Brett Cutts, the general manager of the Sanctuary Trust shelter, recently warned that a number of people taken in by hotels could soon find themselves in need of somewhere to live – once the tourism industry starts to welcome back visitors for the summer season.
A government spokesperson said that the highest number of recorded individuals living in temporary accommodation – such as hotels and guest-houses – was 74 on 27 May 2020.
Another man, who also wished to remain anonymous, said he had stayed in the Normandie for ten days at the beginning of the pandemic and was now living in his van.
‘The government is providing no help whatsoever,’ he said. ‘Why can’t they spend a couple of extra quid to help the homeless? We don’t want much – just a bed, a roof over our heads, somewhere that we can feel secure. I think landlords have an awful lot of power in terms of kicking people out of a property.’
When asked how the situation was being addressed, a government spokesperson said: ‘£45,000 was made available from the government’s emergency funding to help during the first wave of Covid-19. Those who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless would have received support under the housing component of Income Support provided they have five years’ residency and are eligible for assistance.’
They also said a housing advice service was in the ‘final stages of being put together’, but that information and advice was already available for those in need.
‘We will address any cases where individuals may need emergency accommodation and subsequent long-term help,’ they said.
‘Delivery of the Homelessness Strategy is under way as part of this work so that the needs of vulnerable Islanders can be met both in the short-term and in the future.
‘Hotels are currently implementing their own reconnection strategy in accordance with government Covid guidelines in order to welcome back visitors to the Island.’
