The ‘harsh reality’ of the Isle of Wight’s critical housing need has been highlighted by senior councillors — including 42 Island families living in emergency accommodation following an immediate risk of homelessness.
It comes as the cost of living crisis makes it harder for people to make ends meet.
Number of people in most desperate need laid bare
Speaking at the council’s cabinet meeting last week, Cllr Ian Stephens, deputy leader and housing portfolio holder, laid bare the numbers of people in most desperate need of housing on the Island.
Figures reveal 2,466 people are on the council’s housing register — 1,185 people looking for one-bed properties; 756 for two-beds; 402 for three-beds; 104 for four-beds; and 19 for five and six-bed properties.
The council is also supporting 23 homeless singles and couples, and 42 homeless families in emergency accommodation.
1,244-home shortfall of new housing
In the past ten years, since the implementation of the council’s last planning strategy, there had been a 1,244-home shortfall of new housing, Cllr Stephens said.
He said if even half of those houses had been built it could have alleviated a lot of problems.
New Island Plan delayed
The newest draft Island Planning Strategy, which is hoped will solve some of the planning issues from a policy side of things, has been further delayed.
Cllr Stephens said the figures brought home the harsh reality of homelessness and the drastic need to get a planning strategy that is fit for purpose.
It was also a call, Cllr Stephens said, for the council to start its housebuilding programme and empty property search.
570 homes empty for more than six months
According to recent government figures, 121 homes on the Island have been empty for more than two years, with 449 homes empty for more than six months.
Without laying down any bricks and mortar, Cllr Stephens said, that is a sample the council could actually work with and try to fix some of the problems and distress within our community.
In February, the council agreed to borrow £40 million to build houses for Islanders, and address the housing crisis, as well as earmarking £2.5 million to start a council-owned housing company.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: rusty_clark under CC BY 2.0
