SOCIAL Care Minister Martyn Quayle MHK has said it has been a memorable month for affordable housing.
He said: "I am delighted by the number of key milestones being reached currently on a wide range of schemes in which government investment is helping to provide affordable housing for those in need.
"I was pleased to secure Tynwald’s unanimous support this month to expend £10.5 million on projects four and five at Janet’s Corner, enabling the construction of 77 new public sector and first time buyer homes to commence.
"This is part of a larger capital programme of £130 million of investment in housing over the next five years, which 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."
This month has seen 10 bungalows completed and handed over to residents on the current phase of works in Janet’s Corner (project three) as works on this phase move towards a conclusion. Fifteen bungalows and apartments remain to be completed in project three, making a total of 52 homes.
The minister has also supported approvals for a number of local authority schemes.
Ramsey Commissioners are to proceed with the last phase of the redevelopment of the Lezayre Estate in Ramsey. This phase five consists of 27 homes and will be completed next year.
Douglas Corporation have started work this week on the second phase of 12 apartments between Lord Street and Queen Street.
In Peel four replacement bungalows are nearing completion at North View.
Three local authority planned maintenance projects have also started this month.
In Ramsey 18 houses in Brookhill and Seamount are undergoing general refurbishments and kitchen replacements have started at Kerrooglass; in Port Erin the replacement of kitchens in 44 properties is being undertaken on the Edremony Estate.
The kitchen replacements are part of framework contracts with local contractors and suppliers which will progress throughout the Island’s public sector housing over the next three to five years.
Progress is underway for the provision of housing for first time buyers and it is likely this year will see more new government-assisted first time buyer properties completed than in any year previously.
This week the first sale completions will take place for the 12 first time buyer apartments at The Steadings in Farmhill, Douglas.
Work is progressing well on the 24 first time buyer homes at Ridgeway Road, Onchan, which are programmed for completion early in 2011.
Foundations are being laid at Reayrt ny Cronk in Peel on 11 first time buyer houses and a Section 13 Agreement signed for the provision of four affordable homes in All Saints Park, Lonan, which are expected to start on site imminently with the first properties complete before the end of the year.
The final phase of properties at Johnny Watterson Lane (Reayrt y Sheer) have been completed and handed over to their purchasers this month.
