Youth Committee aims for 'positive change' on Manx housing issues

Alex, 16, is the chair of the Tynwald youth committee

The Isle of Man's first Tynwald Youth Committee hopes to make "positive change" tackling the island's "housing crisis".

The group, made up of seven members aged between 15 and 24, are to meet monthly throughout the year.

It will hear evidence and present a report to Tynwald.

Chair Alex said the group would focus on renters and first-time buyers, aiming to "put something in place to make it easier" for young people.

The committee will be able to question experts and politicians throughout the year, as well as gather oral and written evidence.

'Make a difference'

It comes after Tynwald's Select Committee on poverty this week made 32 recommendations, calling for a "renewed focus on housing".

Alex, a 16-year-old studying for her A levels at St Ninian's, said options for care leavers were limited and a number of houses available to buy or rent "doesn't seem affordable" for young people.

There were also long waiting lists for social housing, she said, adding she hoped to "make a difference" throught her work with the committee.

The group has created a survey for people between the ages of 16 and 25 to share their own experiences.

Riona said she was looking forward to experiencing how government worked

Fellow St Ninian's A-level student and committee member Riona, said improvements across renting, first-time buyers and affordable housing would give younger people "a reason to stay on the Isle of Man".

She said she hoped the committee and its findings would be taken seriously.

"It's quite a big issue for the Isle of Man... if the government actually take us seriously then maybe the population will increase and the amount of people staying on island will increase as well."

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