The Department of Social Care has invited all Local Housing Authorities to work with Government on the creation of a sustainable Public Housing sector.
 
A meeting took place on Tuesday this week to launch the five key pieces of work which will inform new Housing policy development.
 
• Housing Need - to identify future needs
• Older Persons Housing - looking at provision of suitable accommodation for an aging population
• Procurement - looking to reduce costs associated with construction and repairs and maintenance
• Affordable Housing Options - helping first time buyers and those outside the public sector to access decent accommodation
• Option Appraisal for a unified Housing body - developing a cost effective and consistent quality service across the Island to meet increasing need
 
With attendance from all but two of the 17 Housing Authorities, this was the first in a series of meetings and associated project work to be held over the next few months.
 
It gives Housing Authority officers the opportunity to be involved in the detailed work required to deliver a modern, good value Public Housing service for the tax payer and communities of the Isle of Man.
 
The Minister for Social Care Hon Chris Robertshaw MHK said: “I cannot stress enough, how important it is that all public sector housing providers work together to develop a robust housing service. And by robust, I mean one which delivers good value, equitable access and excellent services to meet our Island’s changing housing needs.
 
This is not about bringing all Public Sector Housing into Government. This is about the housing professionals and specialists across the Authorities, including the Housing Division within my Department, working together at a strategic level, putting aside local differences, to share their ideas, information and potential proposals to determine the best possible way of delivering a financially sustainable Island wide Housing Service.
  
It is pleasing to see that the Authorities will have the opportunity to use their local knowledge, expertise and experience to shape major policy changes for the Housing Sector, and I am confident this will mean the policies which do come forward will deliver a better outcome for all involved.”