Homelessness service users decrease by end of 2025

Caroline RobinsonChannel Islands
BBC An aerial view of fields, trees and two separate rows of houses. The sea can be seen further afield.BBC
A total of 267 people were homeless in October to December 2025

The number of people using a homeless service in Jersey decreased from the beginning of 2025 to the end of 2025, a new report has found.

The Homelessness in Jersey report, commissioned by the government and focusing on October to December, found a total of 267 people were homeless in those months – a decline from previous quarters.

The report said there had been an overall upward trend in the numbers of service visits and users which peaked at 348 service visits in the second quarter of 2025.

It found substance use and abuse was the highest reason for homelessness among males during 2025 at 14%, and domestic abuse was the highest reason for homelessness among females during 2025 at 26%.

The report said accommodation and service providers, and the Housing Advice Service, described the fluctuation in numbers as the "normal up and down".

It added young people struggled to manage independently, with this causing 9% of the reasons for homelessness for males and at 15% for females during 2025.

Across each quarter of 2025, between 70% to 74% of service users were male, and 25% to 27% were female.

The report said in the third quarter and fourth quarter 2% and 3% were other gender identity.

It said males tended to be spread across the age groups of 25 or younger, to over 56, while females tend to be in the younger age groups of 25 or younger to up to 45 years old.

'An important role'

The report found 41% of islanders who were living in temporary shelter accommodation with service providers during 2025 were continuously resident for up to six months.

Housing Minister Sam Mézec, said: "I am grateful to the emergency accommodation and service providers, FREEDA, JAYF, Sanctuary Trust and the Shelter Trust, as well as the Housing Advice Service, for their ongoing contribution and support in supplying the data used to produce these reports."

He added the evidence "played an important role" in strengthening the approach to tackling homelessness and in connected and complex areas, including Jersey's mental health strategy.

He said: "While I welcome the overall reduction in the number of people seeking support during the fourth quarter of 2025, this must not lead to complacency.

"Our commitment to addressing and resolving homelessness for islanders remains unwavering."

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