Isle of Wight councillors will probe County Hall’s affordable housing delivery on Tuesday amid an ongoing Island housing crisis.
Watchdog panel the Corporate Scrutiny Committee will examine the council’s progress in delivering social and affordable housing and consider plans for future delivery.
Over 80 per cent of the Island’s private rented accomodation became unavailable for long-term let since the Covid-19 pandemic as of February 2024, according to a council document.
During the same month, roughly 15,000 households were struggling to find somewhere to live.
Those on the lowest incomes could not afford market rents.
Council data shows 7.3 per cent of homes built on the Island last year were affordable.
Its figures also show 135 properties stood empty last month and 3,266 second homes.
Six focus areas for scrutiny
There are six focus areas for scrutiny this week: looking into obstacles and challenges for affordable housing delivery, the transparency of delivery and allocation processes, the way in which funds are apportioned and monitored and development plans over the next five years.
Councillors will also delve into County Hall’s current position on providing a housing company itself and how affordable housing can be better delivered moving forward.
Concerns over number of residents’ enquiries
A report, signed by cabinet member for housing and finance Councillor Ian Stephens and director of adult social services Laura Gaudion, said,
“At the October Committee meeting the Committee members raised concerns over the number of residents’ enquiries they were receiving in relation to the lack of housing on the Island and wanted to understand what action has taken place over the past four years to develop housing on the Island, what have been the issues and what can be achieved now.”
Six strategic priorities
Stephens and Gaudion’s document due to be presented on Tuesday sets out six strategic priorities: new housing supply, housing affordability, ‘good quality’ private sector housing, supporting housing associations and other partners, homelessness and housing need and special housing needs and vulnerable people.
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
