Isle of Wight residents are being invited to comment on proposed changes to the way social housing is allocated, with the Isle of Wight Council launching a public consultation on its Housing Allocations Policy.
The policy sets out who can join the housing register, how applications are assessed and how priority is given when social housing becomes available.
The Council says the proposed changes are intended to ensure the policy reflects current housing needs and continues to provide fair and transparent access to social housing.
Demand for social housing on the Isle of Wight continues to outstrip the number of homes available, despite the delivery of additional affordable housing in recent years.
Among the proposed changes are measures designed to improve the allocation process and provide greater opportunities for people who face barriers in securing suitable accommodation.
Chair of the Council’s Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs Committee, Councillor James Whelan, has said:
“We want to make sure our Housing Allocations Policy is fair, transparent and accessible for everyone.
“This consultation gives residents, housing providers, community groups and partner organisations the opportunity to help shape how social housing is allocated on the Isle of Wight.
Article continues below this advertisement “I would encourage anyone with an interest in housing to take part and share their views.”
The consultation opened yesterday (Thursday) and runs until midnight on 25th September.
Residents can view the draft policy, read a summary of the proposed changes and complete an online questionnaire before the consultation closes.
Following the consultation, the feedback received will be reviewed before a revised Housing Allocations Policy is considered through the Council’s decision-making process. If approved, the updated policy is expected to come into effect later this year.
Those wishing to take part in the consultation can do so via the Isle of Wight Council’s website at https://www.iow.gov.uk/article/4181/Help-shape-our-Housing-Allocations-Policy.
Provide greater opportunities for those facing barriers seeking suitable housing, do you mean those that previously declined to pay their rent, those that have been evicted for anti social behaviour or do you mean those that have no right to be in the UK and are gaming the system.
Thankfully I don’t have to live in such situations, sadly many
people do.
I would much rather live near a person who has entered the UK due to their countries being obliviated ( no fault of their own) than living next door to a island anti-social family or drug family.
Why not offer accommodation at yours for a few of these poor people who have fled these countries which have been ‘obliviated’ through no fault of their own,EinnE?
That is why we pay so many taxes it is the councils job to
provide homes for persons in need.
Many local persons can stay with their families, the persons
you are talking about have no families of their own to stay with so should be an housing priority.
Usually families with children get first pickings,
obviously the country is changing and many persons
entering the country also need housing.
Many people think because they are born in a location
they get first choice.
It doesn’t work like that anymore, this is 2026 Britain.
Same if you have a parking place outside your property
IT IS NOT THE HOUSEHOLDS SPACE, IT’S WHOEVER
GETS THERE FIRST, EVEN IF ISLANDWIDE PARKING PERMITS
ARE CHARGED.
Why not post multiple comments under your Enough is Enough name? I’m getting dizzy under your blizzard of names
Enough is Enough finally had ENOUGH
Too many benefit handouts nobody wants to actually get up in the morning and work for what they get anymore. All way to easy.
Many persons in employment don’t want to work
thesedays, so many persons since the pandemic
have been shirking from home on full pay.
It’s no wonder growth is slowing in the economy.
born and bred islanders first – everyone else afterwards
It doesn’t work like that in 2026 Britain
you are living in the dark ages.
If it means looking after our own first I am fully behind the dark=g ages and arguab;y most of the population is
Will never happen, the country is not the
country it used to be.
Demand is bound to outstrip supply so surely priority should be given to those who have skills that enable them to usefully work – nurses, people working in social care, prison staff. I am at a loss to understand why being a born and bred Islander would necessarily mean you have anything to bring to the party. Of course, if everyone took this attitude, no one would ever be able to relocate from the Island unless they could afford to buy. It cuts both ways.
Good point, we live in a country nowdays when people
think they will start having children young and live off
the state for the rest of their lives.
So many unmarried mums with children in Britain
doing this.
The country cannot afford this.
Typical Reformer, so sad.
How many born and bred Islanders families moved to the
Island from the mainland!
No not really true Islanders, overnors.
What gives anyone the right to think they
have first choice.
Many people are born all around the UK
many cannot afford to live where they were born
that is the way of life.
Born and bred Londoners first – that ship sailed (or landed) many moons ago so I ended up here as was ousted from my birthplace of generations.
So true, sadly there are no birth rights but
many deluded islanders think there is.
Sad, they need to wake up, get a job and get on
the property ladder.
Totally agree with you Joe, so many want to exchange back to the mainland to live we have no chance. We downsized from a three bed place to give a larger family a chance. Now because of medical conditions I need a 2 bedroom place, but no only allocated for 1 bedroom, my condition fills me with shame so hopefully won’t be around much longer to be burden.
Sorry to hear this, have faith you may live forever.
Get some good old fashioned Ventnor air
It is what Ventnor is good for.
I thought the doubling of council tax for those 2nd home owners was supposed to go a long way to solve the lack of social housing?
No, the extra costs will be factored into the holiday rates.
That will stop people coming to the island.
Too be honest I travel around the island most
days and it looks much quieter this year.
People have woken up to the extortionate ferry fares.
Why come to the Island when you can go and stay in
Dorset or Devon, NO FERRY FARES
The money saved goes towards accommodation costs.
I know where I would rather go.
They are stinking rich and just pay the extra taxes.