Suitable homes key to population plan, says Isle of Man housing lead

The Manx government is aiming to grow the population to 100,000

People will not relocate to the Isle of Man without "appropriate" homes on offer, the island's new housing lead has said.

David Ashford MHK was made chairman of the Housing and Communities Board earlier this week.

The Manx government has set a target of growing the island's population from 84,000 to 100,000 by 2037.

Mr Ashford said these efforts would fall short if families could not find suitable homes at the "correct price".

"You can say you want to retain young people, and want to encourage more teachers and nurses to move over, but it won't work without appropriate housing," he said.

New housing association

The Housing and Communities Board was set up two years ago following the 2021 Isle of Man General Election to deal with the surging cost of homes.

Mr Ashford said, after two years of planning, the government "now needs to actually deliver".

The majority of the island's public housing stock is managed by local housing authorities.

But later this month, Mr Ashford will bring a report to Tynwald on plans to create a new housing association to manage the 1,200 social homes in direct government control.

Mr Ashford said he would also prioritise the creation of a new homeless shelter, after the only one on the island closed in September.

His predecessor, Chris Thomas, who stepped down from the post in the summer, warned securing funding for his plans may be a challenge.

Mr Thomas is bringing forward a motion for a general debate on housing in Tynwald this month.

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