Waiting list for public sector homes ‘cut by two thirds’ since 2013

The infrastructure minister claims the number of those waiting for public sector homes has reduced by two thirds in the last seven years.

Ray Harmer says there are now around 500 people on the list, down from 1400 in 2013, a change he puts down to department schemes such as the shared housing initiative.

But Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper, a critic of the minister’s housing policies, questioned whether the change was down to the introduction of ‘restrictive’ assessment criteria in 2018.

The discussion was prompted in Tynwald this week (21 Jan) by Mr Hooper’s question on what progress has been made in improving access to and availability of affordable housing.

In response, Mr Harmer championed the work of the cross-department ‘central projects unit’, which ‘sucessfully delivered’ new housing estates like Clagh Vane in Ballasalla.

Some local authorities, such as Douglas Council, have expressed frustration with the time it takes for new housing schemes to be approved by the department.

The minister said the introduction of shared housing lists in regions across the Island has helped reduce waiting times for public sector properties.

However, Douglas Council and Onchan Commissioners, two of the Island’s major housing providers, aren’t signed up to shared lists.

He also claimed an upcoming ‘landlord registration bill’ and a new ICT platform for housing will make a significant impact on the quality of affordable housing.