THE Housing Minister’s definition of homelessness is not enough to tackle the issue, according to an independent board.
On World Homeless Day, the Jersey Homelessness Strategic Board welcomed the ‘small but important step’ taken by Deputy David Warr to break homelessness down into four core areas: rooflessness, houselessness, living in insecure housing and living in inadequate housing.
But it highlighted that there was ‘still so much more to be done’. The board’s chair Simon Burgess said: ‘Defining homelessness is an important step but we need to see it enshrined in statute.’
Deputy Warr published a formal definition last week, saying he hoped to make the ‘invisible visible’.
Mr Burgess called for a timeframe on when the definition would be placed in legislation, or he said it risked ‘being changed at the whim’ of successive housing ministers.
He added: ‘Credit where credit is due though, the minister has taken positive action by bringing forward the definition whilst also undertaking to ensure we know how many people fall into which sub-definition at any one time.
‘We are in for a big surprise when we discover the true nature of homelessness in Jersey.’
The independent board Mr Burgess chairs was formed in 2019 to develop closer links between community groups and the government. It published its homelessness strategy in 2020, which made several recommendations, including defining and measuring homelessness.
Meanwhile, fellow board member and Caritas chief executive Patrick Lynch said: ‘The minister’s definition is a big step forward but so much more needs to be done.’
He added: ‘The homelessness strategy sets out eight strategic priorities and more than 30 specific recommendations. In 2021, the housing minister at that time accepted most of the recommendations as actions for the government in his ministerial response so we will continue to ask for updates of progress on each of the actions.’
As the cost of living rises, the most vulnerable are more likely to be adversely impacted first due to rent increases and missed mortgage payments, the board said.
It has called for a joined-up approach from multiple agencies and government departments.
