A call for expedited legislation to secure housing rights for all residents of the Isle of Man has been issued by Kirstie Morphet, a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC). Morphet argues that the current situation surrounding homelessness on the island necessitates urgent action, proposing that the Isle of Man Homelessness Strategy, approved by Tynwald in December 2023, should be implemented significantly sooner than the proposed timeline of 2029.
Morphet has tabled a motion for the upcoming January session of Tynwald. Her motion articulates the need for legislation to ensure that every individual meeting specified residency criteria has a legal right to housing. She believes that the existing timeline fails to reflect the pressing needs of the community. “Housing is a basic need, and without stability, it is extremely difficult for individuals to move forward positively in their lives,” she stated.
Urgency of Legislative Action
The motion highlights the necessity for prioritizing this legislation, suggesting it should be developed and introduced into the legislative process by June 2027. Morphet’s advocacy is fueled by her experiences as a social worker, where she witnessed the challenges arising from the lack of statutory responsibility in housing support. “As someone who worked as a social worker immediately prior to being elected, I have seen first-hand the challenges caused by the absence of statutory responsibility,” she remarked.
The closure of the island’s only overnight shelter in 2022 has exacerbated the homelessness crisis. From July 2024 to June 2025, Manx Care has provided temporary accommodation on 9,137 nights to individuals without homes. This situation underscores the need for immediate legislative action to create a structured approach to homelessness prevention.
Morphet emphasizes that a statutory framework would enable various agencies to collaborate more effectively. “Recognising that homelessness prevention cannot be the responsibility of a single agency, it would provide clarity, accountability, and a foundation for long-term solutions,” she explained.
Consultation and Community Involvement
The government has initiated a consultation process to address critical issues related to homelessness, including which groups should be prioritized for temporary accommodation and the responsibilities of housing authorities. According to David Ashford MHK, chair of the housing board, “We are using legislation in the UK as a starting point for discussion; our own legislation will need to be tailored to the needs of our community.”
In recent years, Manx Care has been expanding its team to deliver better support for those affected by homelessness, which includes hiring two lead practitioners and four community support workers earlier this year. The ongoing consultation will explore the duty of care for vulnerable individuals and the legal responsibilities of various organizations that assist them. Feedback from this consultation is due by February 25, 2024, with a report to be submitted to ministers by the end of March 2024.
Morphet encourages public participation in the consultation, particularly from individuals with lived experiences of homelessness. “It is important that people’s voices are heard and represented when this legislation is developed,” she stressed, underscoring the significance of community input in shaping effective policy.
By advocating for the fast-tracking of housing rights legislation, Morphet aims to address the urgent needs of the Isle of Man’s residents, highlighting that systematic support can create a more robust framework for tackling homelessness and fostering stability within the community.
