Island Housing Register Grows As Homelessness Figures Continue To Rise

More Islanders are on the Isle of Wight’s housing register and the number of households that are homeless, in temporary or emergency accommodation continues to climb.

An adult social care, public health and housing needs committee report dated March 31, 2026, says greater numbers of people are waiting to access social housing compared to the same period in previous years.

The paper, published ahead of a meeting on Thursday evening (June 25), states that the ability to reduce the number on the register is ‘constrained’ by the lack of affordable rented accommodation from Registered Providers.

The Island HomeFinder system, the Isle of Wight’s housing register, provides data relating to the needs of local households that are looking for affordable housing.

Registered Providers (RPs) are the key provider of affordable rented homes for Islanders.

The number of households prevented from being homeless is also on the up. 

A range of activities is undertaken with those facing homelessness and their landlords in an attempt for them to remain in their homes, according to the committee report.

This financial year there was access to targeted grant funding which adds further capacity for homelessness prevention.

The latest housing needs figures (March 31, 2026)

• Number of people on the housing register: 2,656 (2,593 same month last year)

• Number of households homeless, in temporary accommodation or emergency accommodation: 257 (229 same month last year)

• Number of rough sleepers: six (four same month last year)

• Number of households prevented from being homeless (cumulative): 356 (322 same month last year)