Housing Benefit is not available until people are 25-years-old

However, the group's chairman, Ed le Quesne, said he thought the numbers of people on the streets did not really reflect the true problem on the island.

Mr le Quesne said he believed many people found themselves without a home or in lodgings because a large part of Jersey's housing market was unregulated.

He said he wanted people without housing qualifications to be offered more protection and that people's rights in the private sector should mirror those of people living in homes owned by the States.

Housing benefit

Homeless Outreach is looking at how people become homeless and it is concerned politicians are not doing enough to address the problem.

Ed le Quesne said he was worried more youngsters who could not live with their parents were finding themselves in difficulties because they are not eligible for housing benefit until they are 25 years old under the island's laws.

He also said part of the problem lies with a two-tiered qualification system in the island and a lack of regulation in the housing market for those who are not eligible to buy their own house.

As part of the qualification system, people either have to be born on the island to buy a property or have to say they will provide a certain amount of income tax to Jersey to gain residential qualifications.

Mr le Quesne said there was no long-term security for people in lodgings.

The States of Jersey said the Housing Department and the Health and Social Services Committee provided certain types of residential accommodation and social housing for those who have problems.