Plans to tackle IOM's key housing issues unveiled

Social housing, building new homes, and developing existing sites on the Isle of Man are among the priorities outlined in the government's plans to create a new housing association.

Proposals for a separate organisation to tackle housing challenges have been set out in a report ahead of a statement in Tynwald on Tuesday.

The government-commissioned study looked into the feasibility of moving housing responsibilities away from the Department of Infrastructure (DOI).

One of the report's recommendations said: "A new, not-for-profit, housing entity will take on the landlord functions currently managed by the DOI."

A government spokeswoman said "improving the affordability and availability of housing" was a "strategic priority" of the Island Plan.

That document, first published in 2022, is updated annually and sets out various targets designed to grow the Manx economy.

The report outlined a number of challenges currently facing the island, including "ageing housing stock with physical defects" and "bureaucratic hurdles" in accessing funding.

To address these more effectively, the report recommends taking a number of responsibilities away from government and moving them to be under the proposed new association.

These include the management and ownership of housing stock, housing development, and homelessness support services.

The report said the new association would "have responsibility for developing feasible social and affordable housing solutions for Isle of Man residents, including suitable housing for key workers, and homelessness prevention activities".

However, the government would still retain several responsibilities, including rent setting, policy and strategy, housing needs and market assessments, as well as overseeing the new association.

The report follows a three-month consultation which cost £79,290.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.