One in three people receiving homelessness support in Jersey are in work

Having a job does not necessarily protect people from homelessness, according to a Jersey charity, after new figures revealed that a third of those receiving homelessness support on the island are employed.

The latest homelessness report for the second quarter of 2026 shows that 33% of people accessing support services between April and June were in employment. Almost 60% were unemployed, while the remaining 9% were either in education or retired.

A total of 271 people received assistance during the three-month period, a decrease from 287 recorded in the first quarter of the year.

Josephine Scott, director of The Shelter Trust, said the figures highlighted the fact that homelessness was not exclusively an issue affecting people without jobs.

She said the proportion of people in employment who were experiencing homelessness demonstrated the wide range of circumstances that could leave someone without a secure home.

Scott explained that relationship breakdowns, financial pressures and unexpected changes in personal circumstances could all contribute to someone becoming homeless.

"There is no single story of homelessness," she said.

The report also revealed that people aged 25 and under continued to make up the largest age group accessing homelessness services.

Domestic abuse and abusive relationships remained the most commonly recorded reasons for homelessness among women, accounting for 34% of cases.

Scott stressed the importance of cooperation between government departments, charities and housing providers to tackle the issue.

She said continued partnership working was essential to preventing homelessness where possible and ensuring people affected could access the support needed to rebuild their lives.