The charity Caritas wants to put up pre-built, new homes for people struggling to find a place to live in Guernsey.

It is estimated around 1.8% of the island's population is homeless, although the reality of the situation is expected to be worse due to hidden homelessness. This is where people are not apparently homeless, but rely on staying with friends and family, temporarily.

Caritas Chairman Graham Merfield says they realised that this, along with, housing insecurity and social exclusion, are issues here.

"More than 1,000 people suffer from housing insecurity in the island and we've long been focused on putting together a residential community to help people in difficult situations."

The charity is looking to buy a plot of land for 24 modular homes, built in two phases. Modular homes are those assembled in a factory and put together on site.

Caritas wants to explore this housing concept in particular, as when they were visiting communities in the UK, they found this to be a cost-effective and quick solution.

"We have a strong belief that if we can find the land people will come forward and help us raise the funds to make the community a reality."

- Graham Merfield

The homes would be built in the UK and shipped to Guernsey to 'overcome some of the challenges'.

Ideally, a 1000-metre-square piece of land will be found to turn into a new residential area for islanders struggling to find somewhere to live.

Charity Chairman, Graham Merfield says they regularly hear about people suffering from housing insecurity:

"There are clearly numbers of people who are sofa surfing, and living in Bed & Breakfast accommodation, but I think what is more distressing is that there are people who are living in tents and living in cars and there are some who are sleeping rough and sleeping in doorways."

"We feel we have an opportunity to do something to help those people transition back to a better life."

Each home would be given to someone to live in for two years, as temporary accommodation.