The Department of Social Care has set out the Government’s record with regard to housing in the last decade in its Housing Policy Review Report which was laid before the October sitting of Tynwald. The report notes that among other achievements this Government is on course by the General Election in September 2011 to provide more affordable housing than any Government since the 1950s. In November 1999 the then Department of Local Government and Environment (DLGE) laid before Tynwald its Housing Policy Review Report which identified the need for more Government assistance in the housing market, particularly in relation to affordable housing. The report also set out a number of targets to achieve this, principally to construct 80 public sector rented units and 80 first-time buyer units annually. Following the re-structure of Government on 1st April 2010, responsibility for housing passed to the Department for Social Care (DSC), hence DSC has prepared this year’s housing report. It sets out the substantial progress made in the last decade in the Island’s housing stock, including: • Since 2000 an average of 438 homes were built annually, compared to the target of 400 set out in the Housing Policy Review Report. • Since 2002 an average of over 90 new public sector houses were built annually compared to the original target of 80. • Since the original Report was laid before Tynwald, over 1000 public sector housing units have been built resulting in the existing public sector housing stock being substantially improved. • Investment in Planned Maintenance has ensured that the majority of the Island’s 6000 public sector housing units have modern efficient central heating installed and a good standard of thermal installation. • Since 2000, an average of 100 households per year have received Government assistance with the purchase of an affordable home compared to an original target of 80. • Since the Report was laid before Tynwald, over 1100 households have been assisted by Government to buy their home. • Due to this unprecedented investment in housing, this Government is on course by the end of its term to provide more affordable housing than any Government since the 1950s. • This high level of investment is set to continue: the Department for Social Care is leading an ambitious programme to build more public sector housing costing ?130 million over the next 5 years. • Furthermore, through the House Improvement and Energy Conservation Scheme and the Cosy Homes initiative, a total of over 4000 properties have been improved over the last decade, substantially reducing energy costs for many of the most vulnerable in our community as well as improving the fabric of many of the properties. The benefit of this investment is reflected in the fact that between 2002 and 2008 the number of unfit dwellings in the Island’s private housing stock reduced from 5.8% to 3.9%. • There has been improvement in the collaboration and standardisation of practices between the Island’s 17 public sector housing authorities, helping to deliver more consistent working practices and cost savings. Currently officers of all the public sector housing authorities meet on a quarterly basis. •A homelessness strategy has been initiated in collaboration with other public and voluntary bodies. • Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 Strategic Plan of June 2007 the separate provision of “Affordable Housing” has been recognised and defined which has assisted in ensuring that provision is made in the development of sites for this need. • Land zoned for affordable housing therefore has continued to be identified and is continuing in the development of the Area Plans. The Minister for Social Care Hon Martyn Quayle said “Government’s substantial investment over a sustained period is a significant achievement which has made a positive difference to the lives of thousands in our Island community. The next 20 years will include many challenges which will require further changes to the Island’s housing stock and Government policies, therefore as Minister for Social Care I have initiated a comprehensive housing policy review to identify these challenges and ensure there is wide consultation on this important matter.” The Department’s Political Member for Housing Mr Bill Henderson MHK said “It is heartening not only to see these statistics, but also to have met some of the individuals who have benefited from these new homes and hear how it has improved their lives.” - Ends -