Latest update says homelessness strategy 'on track'

Between February last year and June 2024, 63 individuals and two families needed overnight housing

A plan to develop a "wrap around support service" for Manx people accessing emergency overnight housing is "on track", the government's housing lead has said.

An update on the government's Homelessness Strategy 2023-28 the Housing and Communities Board revealed £62,727 was spent on the provision in a year.

The document also suggested pre-booking hotel rooms for busy periods on the Isle of Man, such as TT fortnight, would secure emergency accommodation for those in need.

David Ashford MHK said progress had been brought about by teaming the experience of third sector organisations with the "thinking from key areas of government".

The island's only overnight shelter for homeless people closed in 2022.

'Logistical challenges'

The strategy has five key focus areas - clear pathways, legislation, core data, needs assessment and prevention.

The six-month progress report stated between February last year and June this year 63 individuals and two families needed overnight housing.

It also confirmed the £62,727 spent on emergency accommodation provided from February 2023 to February 2024 included a cost of £5,913 for damages.

The board said progress so far included producing a working definition of homelessness and a mapping exercise of to understand current support.

It acknowledged issues including the "very high support needs" of a number of the individuals it supported, which had led to challenges securing "next step" accommodation.

The board also said it would now "plan ahead" and pre-book "a certain number of beds" ahead of busy periods, such as TT fortnight, Christmas and the Manx Rally, to "ensure that adequate accommodation can be found".

It found although there had been "logistical challenges" with availability of overnight provision in the six-month period, there were "no reports of rough sleeping as a result of lack of accommodation".

The next steps for the plan include recruitment of staff to work towards a "single-entry point" so anyone in need would access support in the same way, the board added.