Caritas has had a strong start to its journey to provide a community of modular homes for people experiencing homelessness in Guernsey.
The charity has received more than £7,000 in donations from individuals and local businesses and two offers of land. Support from the local construction industry, including architects, builders, building merchants, and project managers, has also been offered in abundance on a pro-bono or costed basis.
Caritas has also teamed up with Skipton for The Big Skipton Sleep Out, taking place on Friday 24 January 2025, which will see islanders sleep outdoors for one night at the KGV to raise money for the charity, which needs £1 million to begin the first phase of its project: developing a complex of 12 modular homes. It is hoped this event will provide another influx of essential fundraising.
According to the Guernsey Indicators of Poverty report (2023), it is estimated that 1.8% of the population – more than 1,000 people – are living without secure housing. This includes sleeping in cars, sofa-surfing, and sleeping outdoors. Caritas’ proposed modular housing development aims to help solve this problem by building 24 homes in two phases where people can live for up to two years.
More information about The Big Skipton Sleep Out can be found here.
Picture Credit: Sam Thompson Photography
