Hopes Island will have homelessness legislation by March 2027

Tynwald asked to receive consultation responses at June sitting

It’s hoped new legislation to combat homelessness will be brought back to the Island’s parliament by March next year.

At this month’s sitting of Tynwald politicians will be asked to receive the Housing and Communities Board’s review of consultation responses.

It makes up the framework for the Isle of Man Homelessness Prevention and Support Act and follows a consultation designed to help develop legislation to prevent and address the problem on the Isle of Man.

The court will also be asked to request that the Council of Ministers consult on a draft of a Bill by the end of March 2027. 

MLC Kirstie Morphet has been calling for more to be done on the topic and welcomes the consultation responses.

Back in January she asked Tynwald to prioritise homelessness legislation given that it had been two years since a strategy was passed in the court.

She wanted it to be developed and introduced into the branches by June next year.

She has welcomed the faster timeline of March, and says going forward, the duty to co-operate will be key to making the legislation a success:

Between now and March 2027 the Isle of Man will hold a General Election which could leave the Island with a very different House of Keys and a very different Council of Ministers.

So does the current Cabinet Office Minister, David Ashford, have faith this legislation won't be left by the wayside?

The June sitting of Tynwald starts at 10am - you can listen HERE.

You can hear these interviews in full in our latest Newscast, available now: