The Tynwald youth committee has warned that housing difficulties are driving young people away and risking long-term damage to the island’s economy and communities.
The Youth Select Committee’s first report says access to safe, affordable and suitable homes has become “one of the least attractive factors” for people aged 16 to 24 when deciding whether to stay on or return.
The committee found young people are far more likely to rent privately than older generations and are therefore more exposed to high costs and poor housing standards.
It concluded that the availability of appropriate housing is failing to keep pace with demand, particularly for smaller homes suitable for single people and young couples.
Supply and Demand
Giving evidence to the committee, Lawrie Hooper MHK said: “Ultimately, the core problem we have on the Island is supply and demand. There is not a lot of supply and there is a lot of demand out there.”
The report highlights figures showing that the lowest quartile house price in 2023 was more than ten times the median salary for 18 to 25-year-olds, making home ownership increasingly out of reach.
While the government first-time buyer schemes exist, the committee said current income thresholds are “not fit for purpose” and exclude many young people earning close to the minimum wage.
Independence
Returning graduates were identified as a group particularly affected by the lack of independent living options.
Massimo Formby, who returned to the island after studying in the UK, told the committee he wanted to continue living independently but struggled to find somewhere affordable.
He said: “After living out for four years at university, I still want to retain that experience over here. If I was staying here, then I would like to move out with my peers and create the life that anybody would expect to have in the UK.”
Mr Formby also described difficulties in securing accommodation and concerns about housing conditions, telling the committee: “Within a month of us being in the property, all of us were ill. As it gets cold, it gets very cold.
“I sleep right next to black mould. I am sure that is probably impacting my health in ways in which I cannot measure.”
Standards
The committee concluded there is currently a “stark lack of minimum standards” in the private rented sector and said regulations under the Landlord Registration (Private Housing) Act must be prioritised.
It called on the government to report back to Tynwald on progress by the end of 2026.
Housing charity Housing Matters also gave evidence about the wider impact of housing insecurity.
Its manager, Karl Brew, told the committee: “If you have not got a place that you call your own, your own space, your own front door, then you are having to live in a chaotic environment.”
Build More
As well as regulation, the report recommends building more affordable homes, reviewing planning policies, and increasing the range of housing types being developed.
It also supports the creation of a housing association to bring greater consistency to social housing standards.
The committee said that without urgent action, the island risks losing young people at the start of their working lives, undermining wider efforts to attract and retain an economically active population.
It added that government must engage more directly with young people and third-sector organisations to ensure housing policy reflects their needs and supports them to build a future on the Isle of Man.
You can read the full report on the Register of Business.