A third of homeless people are in work, data shows

Having a job is no guarantee of a home, a charity has said after latest figures showed a third of people receiving homelessness assistance in Jersey were in work.

Jersey's Q2 2026 homelessness report found that 33% of people receiving assistance were employed, while nearly 60% were unemployed and 9% were in education or retired.

Josephine Scott, director of The Shelter Trust, said the number of homeless in work was an "important reminder that homelessness doesn't only affect people who are unemployed".

The report found 271 people received help from homelessness services between April and June, down from 287 in the previous quarter.

The report also found that people aged up to 25 remained the largest age group receiving support.

For women, escaping domestic abuse and abusive behaviour remained the leading causes for homelessness, accounting for 34% of recorded reasons.

Scott said homelessness could affect people in many different circumstances, including relationship breakdowns, financial difficulties and changes in personal circumstances.

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

"These figures underline the importance of continuing to work together across government, charities and housing providers to prevent homelessness wherever possible and ensure that those who do experience it have the support they need to move forward."

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