By Carole Dennett
The Isle of Wight Council has delivered only 41 units of new social housing over the past decade, despite growing demand. Figures from the last ten years, based on the council’s own returns to government, show that, while almost 600 “affordable” homes have been built, only 41 were for social rent, often set at around 50 per cent of market rent and recognised as genuinely affordable for low income households.
Between 2015 and 2020, not a single social rent home was completed on the Island, regardless of the political control at County Hall. The council was led by the Island Independents from 2013–2017, the Conservatives from 2017–2021, and the Alliance Group from 2021 to the present day. Social rent delivery only resumed in 2021, with 15 homes built that year, followed by three in 2022 and 23 in 2023, before falling back to zero in 2024.
Over the same period, developers delivered far more “affordable” homes for sale or at ‘affordable’ rent, set at 80 per cent of market rent. In 2020/21 alone, more than 550 such homes were completed – with no new social housing.
Housing charities have repeatedly warned that affordable rental homes do little to help those on the lowest incomes, who are most likely to be on the Island’s housing register or at risk of homelessness.
The IW Council was asked for a comment more than a week ago, but did not respond.
Tilly Walder