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Local Councils Meet To Discuss Ongoing Isle Of Wight Affordable Housing Crisis

Members of 18 local parish, town and community councils have met with representatives from the Isle of Wight Council and local housing providers to discuss ways to increase affordable housing on the Island.

The meeting was organised by the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC).

Introducing the meeting, Cllr Diana Conyers, chair of IWALC, said:

"We get lots of complaints from our members about housing developments imposed on them from above.

"Their concern is that these developments don’t provide the sort of housing that local residents need or can afford."

"But we cannot change the planning system, at least not overnight, so we need to explore other ways of getting the sort of housing we really need."

The leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, welcomed participants and spoke about the current housing crisis on the Island, particularly the need for more social housing.

Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox
Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox

She emphasised that the Council is determined to address this issue and to work with local councils in doing so.

The Cabinet members responsible for housing and planning, Cllrs Ian Stephens and Paul Fuller, were also present.

Cllr Stephens reported that the Council’s 2022/23 budget, which had been approved the previous evening, includes £40 million for housing development.

He said there has been an 82% reduction in the number of private properties available for rent over the last two years, resulting in increasing demand for the limited stock of social housing and an unprecedented number of households in temporary accommodation.

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