Local authority calling for income limits to be dismissed on social housing

Income limit criteria for social housing could be overhauled in the Isle of Man in an attempt to help combat cost-of-living pressures.

Currently the government is reviewing income limits for access to the housing, which ranges from £30K to £44K based on household size.

Devon Watson, Chairman of Douglas Council’s Housing Committee, said the thresholds should be changed to a percentage of income linked to the Island’s Living Wage – the minimum wage is set at £9.50 an hour whilst the living wage has been calculated as £11.05.

Cllr Watson claimed linking eligibility to the government living wage calculations on wages and household costs would improve how waiting lists for social housing are managed.

In relation to social housing waiting lists, research conducted by Shelter, a leading homelessness charity, reported over one million households are waiting for social homes. In 2021, 29,000 social homes were sold or demolished and less than 7,000 were built in England.

Additionally, waving limitations in the Isle of Man, could also help prioritise people in ‘absolute need’ of social housing, stated Cllr Watson. Housing authorities across the Isle of Man have been asked for views on how access and eligibility policies could change by the Department of infrastructure.

Chris Thomas, Infrastructure Minister, said the financial limits, which were set by Tynwald in 2019, had to be ‘urgently reviewed’ due to inflation and other rising costs.

In England, people are also demanding local authorities step up to help people in dire need of obtaining social housing. Yesterday, protestors gathered to storm a council meeting in Stratford over Newham Council’s inability to provide a stable home for a domestic abuse victim and her child.

Protestors entered the Old Town Hall to demand justice for the survivor who wishes to remain anonymous. The group criticised the council for ‘not respecting people as human beings’.

After escaping her dangerous living situation, the woman and her child were put up in a temporary hostel owned by Newham council, however the building was described as ‘unsuitable’ and ‘overcrowded’.

However, in an attempt to defend the local authority, Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of the council, said the authority is facing a ‘spectacular’ housing crisis and is doing all they can to try and support people into social homes.

Ms Fiaz said: ‘In the previous 12 months there has been a reduction in housing supply by some 47%, our temporary accommodation budget is over-blowing.

‘We want families with kids to be living in safe, habitable, healthy properties and we demand, we campaign, and we want housing justice for our people but we’ve got to ensure that there’s equity and fairness for everyone because we have over 37,000 people on our housing waiting list, not just in temporary accommodation.

Photo by oliver king and Chromatograph