Housing cited 'huge priority' ahead of election

Housing has been identified as a "huge priority" in the lead-up to the House of Keys general election, according to a Douglas Councillor, as housing pressures intensify on the Isle of Man. This concern is echoed by most of the 82 candidates vying for an MHK seat, who have also highlighted housing as a top issue.

Councillor Natalie Byron-Teare stated that Douglas Council is the island's largest social housing provider, managing 2,400 properties, with 250 individuals currently on the waiting list. She pointed out a "huge disparity" between social housing rental rates and private rental costs, which leaves many working families in a difficult position. These households earn too much to qualify for social housing support but not enough to afford the rising prices of private rentals.

Byron-Teare explained, "The threshold for a family living in social housing is £68,000. The first-time buyers scheme has a cap of £57,000–£58,000." This means that individuals eligible for social housing but earning over £58,000 cannot access the first-time buyers scheme, a situation she finds problematic.

To address housing pressures, Byron-Teare noted that the council has recently constructed 160 new energy-efficient apartments, replacing older units, and has submitted a 10-year development plan to the government. However, she believes that fragmented decision-making is hindering progress. "At the moment we are siloed. Many departments and authorities dealing on their own. It should be simple, we're a small population," she remarked. She also criticized the absence of local authority representation on the island's Housing Agency Board, arguing that their experience would be "vital."

Karl Brew, manager of the homelessness charity Housing Matters, shares concerns about the disconnect between wages and housing thresholds. He reported that approximately 100 people utilize their services, with 45 of them having "no fixed abode." Brew described this as "hidden homelessness," explaining, "We're not seeing street homelessness, but we are seeing people sleeping in vans. That's the reality of the island that we don't see." He added that 20 individuals are currently in emergency accommodation provided through Manx Care, a service established two years ago to align with the charity's efforts.

Brew emphasized the urgent need for more social housing, additional private rental options, and new forms of supported "wraparound" accommodation, such as "pod-style" units or repurposed government buildings, to assist those not yet ready for independent living.

Meanwhile, several residents have voiced concerns that the increasing number of holiday homes and rentals on the island is limiting the housing market for local prospective homeowners. Jack McLean, a musician in Peel, commented, "With all the holiday homes over here, it just makes it more difficult for first-time buyers because it's just less housing, less affordable housing."

Steve and Phil highlighted holiday lets along the seafront as their primary concern, stating, "There are so many holiday lets around, and it's just killing the old part of the city." They proposed that politicians implement a holiday let cap of "10% or 15% in one particular area" to "leave the life in the streets," noting that the town becomes quiet outside of tourist season, with few establishments open beyond pubs.

Jack Mylrea, who began working in a Peel fish and chip shop at 15, shared that his quality of life improved significantly when he and his partner bought a house at 24. He described the post-Covid period as "very, very hard" for buying due to rising prices but felt "lucky" when his childhood home became available. He expressed contentment with his current living situation, just minutes from his workplace.

Voters will cast their ballots on September 24 to elect 24 MHKs for the next five years.