The Department for Social Care is pleased to announce the progress made on affordable housing schemes. Hon Martyn Quayle MHK Minister for Social Care commented: “I am delighted by the number of key milestones being reached by my Department on a wide range of housing schemes in which Government investment is helping to provide affordable housing for the people of the Isle of Man. In 2000 Tynwald approved the policy to expand Government support for housing and during this financial year ending 31 March 2011 we will have surpassed the milestones of 1000 public sector rented properties built and given assistance to over 1100 first-time buyers. Furthermore my Department is currently on course for a record year in terms of both the number of new public sector rented and first-time buyer homes completed this financial year. I think these are major achievements which have made a huge difference to the quality of lives of thousands of people in our community. Obviously Government recognises that the challenge is ongoing, and must continue to play a key role in the provision of affordable housing on the Island. There is a Capital Programme amounting to ?130M scheduled over the next 5 years for planned housing developments across the Island. For example Government is making an investment of ?17.6M in Upper Pulrose in Douglas and an investment of ?10.5M in Janet’s Corner in Castletown, both commencing soon. This clearly demonstrates this Government’s commitment to providing a range of suitable, affordable housing for the people of the Isle of Man while also playing a crucial role in supporting the Island’s construction sector.” A summary of the major developments planned in the Capital programme is provided below. Projects 4 and 5 at Janet’s Corner in Castletown will provide a total of 55 properties for public sector rental (comprising a mix of two-, three- and four-bed housing and two-bed apartments) and 22 first time buyer houses (a mix of two- and three-bed homes). This development not only provides new dwellings, it also renews mains drains, sewers and utility services as part of the ongoing programme of refurbishment and redevelopment of the Janet’s Corner housing estate, the majority of which was constructed in the 1950s. The properties completed on the early phases have been well received by the tenants who have moved in the last few months. There is considerable activity on the development of replacement public sector housing at Clagh Vane in Ballasalla. The first new housing (referred to as “Project 3) will be completed in the Spring of 2011 consisting of sixteen two-bedroomed apartments and one two-bedroomed bungalow. A planning application has also been submitted for the next phase of replacement housing (referred to as “Project 4”) which proposes a further twelve apartments and four bungalows and is intended to follow on from Project 3 with work on site planned to commence in the Summer. At Ridgeway Road in Onchan, work is progressing well on the 24 first time buyer homes which are programmed for completion early in 2011. The construction of the 11 first time buyer houses at Reayrt ny Cronk in Peel are almost complete and the 4 affordable homes in All Saints Park in Lonan are shortly expected to be completed. The Department is also delighted to have recently supported the approval of a number of Local Authority Schemes including the following: Douglas Borough Council is due to start the major re-development of Upper Pulrose at a cost of ?17.6M this month. The first phase will provide 44 new public sector dwellings and is to be constructed on the site bounded by Hazel Crescent, Heather Crescent and Heather Close which was recently cleared. This phase will provide 28 two-bedroom apartments, three two-bedroom and 11 three bedroom houses, one of which has been designed for disabled use, and two four-bedroom houses. In addition, Pulrose police station is to be relocated and incorporated into the development. The Council will also be starting construction of 36 new public sector dwellings within the next few months on Groves Road. This will complete the redevelopment of the area previously known as Lower Pulrose. In addition to this, the extension to the Hanover House block of apartments in Lord Street is under construction and on schedule to be completed this September. This will provide 12 two bed roomed apartments and associated parking. The final phase of Ramsey Commissioners ?23M redevelopment of Lezayre estate is on site and scheduled for completion within the next year. This redevelopment will provide around 150 new public sector dwellings plus associated improvements to the estate environment. Investment is also being made to improve their existing housing stock. Refurbishment of 18 family houses at Seamount and Brookhill Avenue in Ramsey is on site and due to be complete later this year. Construction of a 34 apartment extension to sheltered housing complex at Reayrt y Chrink in Port Erin is underway. This ?5M investment includes refurbishment of the existing complex and is scheduled for completion in 2012. Work has just started on site on the first phase of Onchan Commissioners ?4M re-roofing, rendering and external refurbishment programme to 118 dwellings at School Road, Barrule Drive and Nursery Avenue. Refurbishment of 66 family dwellings at Kerroo Coar in Peel is due to start by February this year. Three new family houses at St Mary’s Road in Port St Mary are almost complete and due to be handed over within the next month. A major programme of kitchen refurbishment for public sector houses is underway which will be supported by an investment of around ?10m over the next 3 to 4 years. The Department’s Member for Housing Mr Bill Henderson MHK commented: “The improvement and growth of both the Local Authorities’ and the Department’s housing stock is one of Government’s key strategic aims. I believe the facts set out in this news release demonstrate that Government’s investment over the last decade and planned over at least the next five years shows we are committed to fulfilling this aim. I have had the opportunity to see the high standard of properties we are delivering and the positive difference this housing is making to the lives of many in our community. May I take this opportunity to thank the Department’s housing staff, the Local Housing Authorities and our partners in the construction sector who continue to work hard to make this possible.” - Ends -