Families are overcrowded at home, housing charity warns

Sarnia Housing, which seeks to provide temporary emergency housing for homeless young families and permanent accommodation for older people, said it had seen a significant rise in the number of people accessing its services during and after the pandemic.

It has 14 units for families and four bedsits for single people. At times its waiting list has been as long as 14, but it was currently in high single figures, said accommodation manager Jane Le Conte.

Individuals waiting were mostly sofa-surfing, while families were living with relatives, she said.

‘A lot of people are living with family members in overcrowded situations, such as seven or eight in a three-bedroom house.

‘One family was living in a parent’s conservatory over the winter. Someone else lived in a garage attached to a house.’

Citizens Advice Guernsey has also indicated that the number of islanders without a home was on the increase.

Its latest report on the subject showed an increase among its client base over the first six months of this year that was higher than any other similar period, which it said was ‘a serious cause for concern’.

All Sarnia Housing properties are full, with a waiting list, which meant that it was unable to perform its intended purpose, Mrs Le Conte said.

‘We’re supposed to be emergency housing and we should be able to respond to emergencies, but that’s impossible these days,’ she said.

She said she was not best placed to give a definitive answer as to why this situation had arisen.

‘I think Covid came at a time when housing was getting difficult anyway.

'I think there’s been a lack of a long-term strategy to plan for future housing needs and it’s all come to a head.’

She also thought the cost of private rental accommodation had been a contributory factor.

Mrs Le Conte had come across several instances of landlords who lived off-island coming back to live in their properties during the pandemic since Guernsey was a more attractive place to live at that time.

Sarnia Housing, which was set up by the Guernsey Council of Churches in 1968, had looked into increasing its stock about 18 months ago, but Mrs Le Conte said it had proved too expensive.

Another place helping homeless people is St Julian’s House, which provides supported accommodation.

A spokesman said it had been at full capacity for much of the year.