The Department of Social Care is this week sharing the recommendations of its Housing Review with Members of Tynwald and Local Authorities prior to their submission for approval at the November sitting of Tynwald.
Over the past three years there has been a fundamental Housing Review carried out by the Department of Social Care. As part of the review the Department of Social Care commissioned David Tolson Partnership to look in detail at, and propose recommendations for change within five key areas for Housing Policy. These were:
1. Affordable Housing,
2. Older persons Housing,
3. Procurement,
4. Housing Need,
5. Option appraisal.
The detailed independent review reports have identified a number of strategic policy changes within both the public and affordable housing sector. The full reports are now available on the Department’s website.
Alongside this, the Department of Social Care has worked extensively with Local Authorities and other stakeholders to review the provision of affordable and public sector housing in the Isle of Man.
The Department has now considered all of the proposals contained in the independent reports by David Tolson Partnership and produced a set of recommendations for Tynwald approval. The Department’s recommendations have incorporated, where appropriate, the comments, concerns and issues raised by Local Authorities, who are primary stakeholders in the operational management of public sector housing.
Social Care Minister Hon Chris Robertshaw MHK stated:
'Both central and local government are facing significant challenges to meet the growing demand for housing; whether this is for single people, young families or older members of our population.
We remain committed to providing good quality housing where it is needed, in a way which is both sustainable and affordable to the tax payer and to tenants in the long term.
Today, I have shared the outcomes of the Housing Review work and will now be taking forward the Department’s recommendation for approval at November Tynwald.'
The recommendations following the review are to be laid before November Tynwald.
A presentation was made to Members of Tynwald on 5 November, and will be made to Housing Authorities on the Friday 8 November.
