Government been 'around the houses' when it comes to housing crisis

The Isle of Man’s 'housing crisis' remains unresolved despite five years of government reviews, boards and strategy documents according to a political commentator. 

It was one of the hot topics ahead of the last General Election in 2021.

Former government press officer Alistair Ramsay says whilst the last administration discussed the issue it never set out a clear, Island-wide policy.

Mr Ramsay told Manx Radio government had 'literally been round the houses over housing'. 

He criticised the absence of an overarching housing strategy from the Housing and Communities Board and warned that decisions are still being driven by the now‑questioned target to grow the population to 100,000.

That target, he argued, is increasingly unrealistic given global demographic trends and the impact of AI on jobs. 

“I just think that AI makes the population strategy redundant,” he said, adding that key planning documents are still based on the 100,000 figure.

He also highlighted the pressure on young people and first‑time buyers, with house prices now estimated at around nine to 10 times average annual salary and private rents 'way above' what young families can afford. 

Mr Ramsay also pointed to government grants supporting private brownfield and luxury apartment developments while affordable housing lags behind calling the optics of that policy 'pretty terrible':

You can listen to the whole conversation by clicking HERE.