The Isle of Wight Council has published a draft housing strategy, setting out policies on housing supply, homelessness, affordability and housing for vulnerable people including young people, people with disabilities and extra care housing for older people.
The strategy will be used by the council and other bodies to plan and provide housing to meet the needs of the Island’s current population of around 140,000 and those that are projected to come over the next 5 years.
Challenges identified include the problems faced by young people trying to afford accommodation on the Island; and the growing numbers of older people who may find themselves in homes unsuited for their needs.
Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing, Councillor Barry Abraham, said:
“Our vision for housing is to enable everyone living on the Island to have a place they call home.
“Whilst most of us on the Island are well-housed, that may change if we do not act. The house you are living in may suit you now, but what will happen as you get older, or your family circumstances change?
“Increasing housing choice is essential for us all to achieve maximum independence and to have better life chances.
“It will also keep young people from needing to leave the Island to gain affordable housing.”
Paul Thomas, assistant director of the Isle of Wight Council’s regeneration service, said:
“The Isle of Wight, a UNESCO Biosphere and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is one of the most beautiful and attractive places to live and visit in England.
“The Island currently faces a unique opportunity to address its housing needs for the future.
“We will deliver a sustainable and ambitious housing strategy that reflects our Island status and the needs of local people and businesses, and allows our unique local heritage of landscapes and communities to thrive.”
To read the draft housing strategy and give your views on the document, visit https://iwightinvest.com/housing-strategy/.
The consultation will run until midnight on Friday 13th March 2020 and will be used to develop the final housing strategy, which will be published and adopted by the Isle of Wight Council later in 2020.
Views on individual housing needs are also being sought via the Housing Needs Survey – this separate survey is running until 16th February 2020 – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/IWHousingNeeds2020.
I would like to see less social (problematic/ dirty) housing and more housing for the elderly/ retirees. Too much emphasis on those who do not want to work and those with unruly children or too many children that they cannot control them. Leave the outskirts and countryside for those who do work and for those who do not want to work, nearer to employment areas, i.e. Newport estates near the industrial estates and supermarkets. Plenty of jobs going there.
“more housing for the elderly/ retirees”
fine, as long as it’s restricted to people who have lived here for years & contributed to the Island’s life and economy,..
not just a load of pensioners from elsewhere who move here to reture & have nice views & better weather, but get reductions in their council tax etc & end us costing the rest of us more to support them ….
Housing ONLY for British people, not the world dross would be a first move in a fair society.
Wake up council… the young have to leave to get decent jobs, because there are none available here! Do you really think anyone on minimum wage or with only a seasonal summer job, can afford a house?? Now if there was a fast, reliable, cheaper way on/off the iow, then more could live here & work on the mainland! solentfreedomtunnel.co.uk