OPINION: The "hidden" side of Jersey

Friday 26 July 2024

Rio de Janeiro's frenzy of Olympic development stirred up waves of excitement in 2016 as it prepared to host the games before millions of spectators...

But clawing at the corners of the colourful spectacle was an ugly picture of displaced communities and poverty-stricken neighbourhoods demolished to facilitate the event.

Ironically, Rio's attempt to paint over the social inequality it feared would otherwise be in the spotlight only served to highlight it further, with stories of residents fighting back making international headlines.

"A problem out of sight only gets worse"

I'm not saying that Jersey will be holding the Summer Olympics anytime soon – we should probably sort the new hospital out first.

And I don't believe our government would evict thousands of vulnerable people to present a pretty picture to international onlookers.

Pictured: Rio de Janeiro was the host nation of the 2016 Summer Olympics.

But there is a lesson from coverage of Rio 2016 that, sadly, can be applied to Jersey – that a problem out of sight only gets worse.

As 2023 drew to a close, Sanctuary Trust chair Tim Ringsdore said it was estimated that as many as 1,000 people could be homeless in the island.

He pointed out that, while you may not see those sleeping in cars, vans or sofa-surfing, we're not without a homelessness issue – even when compared to "somewhere like London".

Pictured: Sanctuary Trust chair Tim Ringsdore has previously cited an estimate that there are as many as 1,000 homeless people in Jersey.

Those who don't see this as a particularly pressing matter (and I hope they are in the minority) should consider two things;

The first is that the Jersey Homelessness Strategic Board, which was formed in 2019 to develop collaboration between community groups and the government, recently described the situation as “no better than a year ago”.

In fact, the Board went as far as to say the outlook for tackling homelessness in Jersey "remains bleak”.

The second thing to note is that, not unlike Rio, there is a huge wealth gap between the richest and poorest islanders – and it's only getting harder for those at the bottom.

Pictured: The Salvation Army saw demand for its services double in 2023.

According to the most recent Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, the proportion of households who thought their financial situation had worsened in the last year had increased from 28% in 2017 to 40% in 2022, and now 52% in 2023.

The Salvation Army also saw demand for its services double that same year. 

While there are many reasons someone might become homeless, the simple truth is that growing financial pressures hit hardest for those already struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

"We already know the elephant is in the room"

One term that I find particularly unhelpful, and one that has cropped-up in the occasional government press release, is that of "visible" homelessness.

It is a phrase that has been used in tandem with work to define and categorise different forms of homelessness, to help quantify how bad the problem is in Jersey.

Pictured: Trinity Constable Philip Le Sueur at one of the Sanctuary Trust's 'Sleep Out' fundraiser events in Pier Road car park.

As well-intended as that approach may be, in my opinion it serves little purpose when we already know the elephant is in the room.

Don't agree? Speak to any of the charities giving out food parcels or utilities vouchers and they will quickly explain the reality.

In other words, a lack of sleeping bags materialising in front of high-street shops shouldn't be viewed as a marker for poverty levels in the island.

Those who choose to believe otherwise are either wilfully ignorant, simply don't care, or think Rio's Olympic makeover was a wonderful gentrification project.

"Showcasing our sickening wealth-divide probably doesn't attract tourists"

I wouldn't suggest that Jersey is hiding its homelessness issue and staggering income-inequality, but I'd raise an eyebrow at counters that we are discussing it enough.

There has long been a divide emerging in our beautiful island, between those living in mansions and those forced to turn to food banks even though they work full-time jobs.

Give that a thought the next time you see a Visit Jersey advert zooming over stunning coastal properties and yacht-filled bays.

Pictured: "Speak to any of the charities giving out food parcels or utilities vouchers and they will quickly explain the reality."

Granted, a highlight reel showcasing our sickening wealth-divide probably doesn't attract tourists, but I do think it's something that should be spoken about more in the States Assembly.

It needs addressing now more than ever, especially with the growing number of locals who feel they have no choice but to leave the island they so desperately want to call home.

I just hope we don't take a leaf out of Rio's playbook and try to paint over it.