More working families will become eligible for public sector housing from tomorrow (Thursday 1 October 2026) when changes to the way properties are allocated take effect.
Revisions to the Public Sector Housing (General Needs) Allocations Policy, agreed by Tynwald in July, update eligibility to better reflect current earnings and housing costs and will apply to all applicants in the Isle of Man.
A joint applicant with three dependent children can now earn up to £63,900 annually and still be eligible to apply. This represents an increase of £13,400 on the previous limit that excluded many households - see below for further details:
Applicants without children
- Single applicant new threshold: £35,800
- Single applicant (previously): £34,500
- Joint applicant new threshold: £50,200
- Joint applicant (previously): £38,000
Applicants with one child
- Single applicant new threshold: £43,000
- Single applicant (previously): £40,000
- Joint applicant new threshold: £56,700
- Joint applicant (previously): £43,500
Applicants with two children
- Single applicant new threshold: £47,800
- Single applicant (previously): £43,500
- Joint applicant new threshold: £59,800
- Joint applicant (previously): £47,000
Applicants with three children
- Single applicant new threshold: £50,200
- Single applicant (previously): £47,000
- Joint applicant new threshold: £63,900
- Joint applicant (previously): £50,500
From April 2027, thresholds will rise annually in line with the Consumer Prices Index figure for the previous September, ensuring eligibility keeps pace with the cost of living.
Local Authority housing providers, including the Department of Infrastructure’s Housing Agency, will also gain greater flexibility where an applicant does not meet residency requirements.
While standard residency requirements remain in place, discretion will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis, with updated guidance. This could include supporting someone at risk of domestic abuse or a former Island resident with an urgent need to return to the Island to be close to family.
Existing waiting list applicants do not need to reapply as housing providers will review active applications and update where necessary.
Further changes taking effect in October will mean some public sector tenants under fixed-term tenancy arrangements may see their weekly rent payment reduced following reassessment.
Anyone with questions about how the changes affect their housing application or tenancy should contact their housing provider directly.
Information is also available on the Department of Infrastructure Housing Agency's webpage, in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions document, or by contacting the Housing Team:
- Telephone: + 44 1624 685955
- Email: housing@gov.im
