More than half of people in emergency accommodation are young men, a government report has shown.
The island’s homelessness crisis is increasingly affecting young men, with a new report showing 26 men currently in emergency accommodation compared to five women.
Most of the men reported as homeless are aged between 18 and 30, according to the Homelessness Pathway update presented to the Housing and Communities Board.
Rise
Across the island, the number of people presenting as homeless has risen from 32 to 92 in just two years, with bed nights increasing from 2,023 to 7,289 annually.
Annual spending on emergency accommodation has skyrocketed from £62,727 in 2022/23 to £479,822 in 2024/25, far exceeding the original £250,000 budget. Projections for the current year suggest costs could exceed £470,000 for accommodation alone.
The report warns of a potential failure of the “hotel model”, with some individuals becoming “permanent hotel guests” funded by Manx Care for more than three months.
Currently, 21 people are using hotel accommodation, with 35 clients classed as having no fixed abode. Eleven are sofa surfing and three remain street homeless.
Concerns have been raised about high-risk clients being deemed “unhouseable” due to behavioural difficulties, leaving them at risk of street homelessness and potential fatality.
Despite challenges, the Homelessness Team has had success, discharging or preventing homelessness for over 130 cases in the last year.
The team, established in February 2025, has helped 57 clients move to private rentals and 43 to stay with family or friends. A further 16 have been offered social housing.