Guernsey's emergency sleeping pods 'in demand'

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 11:55

A homelessness charity says the high occupancy rate of its sleeping pods shows there is a 'real demand for emergency accommodation' in Guernsey.

The homelessness charity Caritas opened up two emergency sleeping pods at the Vale Douzaine car park in December 2025.

Since then, the beds have been occupied for more than 71 nights.

The charity says this shows there is a 'real demand for emergency accommodation.'

Users cited many reasons for checking into the pods, from an ex-offender leaving prison with nowhere to go, to a person experiencing accommodation difficulties linked to their employment.

Caritas Chair Graham Merfield says the pods are not designed to be a long-term answer to homelessness, but they provide short-term dignity and safety.

"Behind every night these pods are used is a person going through a difficult and uncertain time.

"Providing somewhere safe, warm and dignified to sleep, even for a short period, can make a real difference while people work towards more stable accommodation.”

Caritas says Guernsey's constrained housing market, even small shifts in availability or affordability, can leave people in difficult situations.

A large fundraiser for Caritas takes place on Friday (20 March).

Hundreds of people will sleep outside the KGV for The Big Sleepout, which was postponed in January due to bad weather.