Douglas Councillor: "The housing crisis is the everything crisis"

Castletown resident tells Manx Radio she's waited six years for new home

The housing crisis on the Isle of Man is ‘the everything crisis’ and without a coherent plan to tackle it people will leave the Island.

That’s the view of one Douglas councillor in light of a Budget which has only allocated £1 million to the Housing and Communities Board.

Yesterday (5 March) the Department of Infrastructure claimed its support for first time buyers had led to more than 60 properties being bought over the last two years.

More than £1.5 million in loan assistance has been provided through schemes designed to help people get on the property ladder.

• 26 first time buyers were helped during 2022-2023; 24 were via new build properties through the 'First Home Fixed' scheme
• 36 first time buyers were helped during 2023-2024; 34 were via new build properties through the 'First Home Fixed' scheme

Minister Tim Crookall said: "The housing team is making a real difference for first-time buyers in the Isle of Man providing advice to people about the available schemes and supporting them as they take that first step into the property market."

But...

But what about help for those people who can’t afford their own home?

Devon Watson is the chairman of Douglas Council’s Housing Committee; he told Manx Radio he believes more social housing needs to be built:

The Six-Year Wait 

Manx Radio spoke to this Castletown resident who has been waiting for new social housing in School Hill for six years. 

The single parent - who has asked to remain anonymous - says they've been ready to move into the new development since 2018. 

But despite early progress on the site ... they're still waiting: 

In response Castletown Town Commissioners said it cannot address anonymous complaints. 

It adds: "However the commissioners have offered all tenants who reside on the estate the opportunity to move elsewhere in our portfolio or request assistance from other providers on the Southern Shared List - and any matters reported through the appropriate channels are addressed accordingly.

"It is not uncommon for condensation related damp to be caused by tenants lifestyle.

"If your anonymous complainant chooses to contact us with details I would be happy to arrange an independent survey."

Since speaking to Manx Radio it's understood the commissioners have approached the tenant - they told us the authority has agreed to help and support them in getting the damp issues sorted. 

School Hill

The issue of development on School Hill has also, this week, angered a former chief minister and Castletown MHK. 

Tony Brown has described the demolition of four flats on the estate as ‘disgraceful’. 

He claims pulling down the 14-year-old social housing is a waste of taxpayers’ money. 

Mr Brown told Manx Radio he wrote to the infrastructure minister, in December 2021, to try and stop it happening but nothing was done.

He’s accused government of wasting taxpayers money by demolishing flats in the estate saying the buildings remain ‘perfectly useable’:

Credit: Tony Brown

Reply

The Department of Infrastructure has told Manx Radio the properties on School Hill are under the ownership, management and jurisdiction of Castletown Commissioners. 

Manx Radio has also contacted the chair of the Housing and Communities Board and is awaiting response.