BBC News, Guernsey
BBCAn islander who suddenly became homeless and found herself living in a garden shed has described the desperation of trying to find somewhere to stay.
Sheyanne Mahy, 26, said she and her husband became homeless in March and had asked the States for help but faced a long waiting list for public housing.
She said she was told there was a one-year wait for housing and they were better off looking in the private market but prices were “way beyond her reach”.
Ed Ashton, director of operations for Social Security, States Housing & Inclusion, said: “We want to house people as soon as possible, however, being able to provide accommodation relies on a property becoming available for them.”
Mrs Mahy said: “I got extremely lucky and was able to stay in a garden shed with my dog with my gran and was there for the duration.
“My husband was able to bounce around different places on the sofa, mostly staying between three or four different people.
“When things got tough we phoned up and questioned again with the States [and said] you know, its starting to get difficult, where are we looking?
“Each time we asked it was back and forth.”
Mrs Mahy said she was told there were lots of people in a similar situation to them and they were better off looking privately, but prices were mostly out of reach for her.
After posting on social media sites looking for accommodation, they were able to secure a winter let owned by Lorraine Lane for about 10 weeks.
During a two-week break from the winter let due to a pre-booked guest, the couple said they were able to secure full-time rented accommodation which is where they still live.
Mrs Lane, 68, said she had encountered many islanders who were experiencing housing issues and she never usually used to rent out her property during the off-season.
“Before Covid I didn’t do it but now with the crisis I seem to have plenty of interest even for such short slots,” he said.
States figures showed there were 66 people on the Band 1 housing list, which are those most in need, but it still takes about a year to secure accommodation.
Jane St Pier, chairwoman of At Home in Guernsey, a charity supporting people experiencing homeless, said: “Everyone is being forced into a very tight funnel.
“The reality is we have lots of pathways into the risk of homelessness right now and we have very few pathways out.”
The figures showed there were 40 people waiting for a one-bed properties and they estimated the wait would be nearly two years.
For a two-bed property, it is a 15-month wait and there were 17 people on that list.
For three-bed properties, there are nine people on the list and the wait time was estimated to be about a year, it said.
Mr Ashton, from the States, said: “We want to house people as soon as possible, however, being able to provide accommodation relies on a property becoming available for them.
“Waiting times are also dependent on the type and size of the property required.
“We remain committed to supporting those who are struggling to find suitable housing, and would urge anyone facing such hardship to contact Income Support.”
