Housing need report highlights gaps, MHK says

The report found almost 10,000 homes would need to be built by 2041 to reach government targets

A review of housing needs has highlighted "gaps" in provision on the Isle of Man, the chairman of the Housing and Communities Board has said.

The Objective Assessment of Housing Need report, published by the board in May, was unanimously backed by Tynwald on Wednesday.

It found almost 10,000 homes would need to be built by 2041 with net migration of 1,000 people a year for the Manx government to reach population and job growth targets.

David Ashford MHK said the document provided the government with "a lot of data to be able to make informed decisions" within future strategies.

The report looked at a range of data to calculate how the aims of creating 5,000 new jobs by 2032 and increasing the population to 100,000 by 2037 could be met.

The Council of Ministers is expected to submit policies in response to the forecast in the October sitting of the Manx Parliament.

'Take calculated risks'

Welcoming the review, Michelle Haywood MHK described the assessment as "comprehensive".

However, she said she was "disappointed" there had been no attempt to understand the number of run down properties classed as zero-rated as, if refurbished, they could have a "significant impact on the problem we face".

But Joney Faragher MHK said the issue of housing needed to be tackled "face on" with the "only solution" being to build more homes, particularly on brownfield sites.

Several politicians also highlighted the need for more sheltered housing, given the the report's projected a significant increase in the number of older person households.

Mr Ashford said the report "provides a lot of data to be able to make informed decisions around where we believe the need is".

The government would now have to be "ambitious" and "take calculated risks" to meet its targets, he added.