A charity says it is aware of around 40 people with no fixed abode on the Isle of Man, including some sleeping rough, as it urges election candidates to make housing a priority.

The election agenda has largely been dominated by wind farms, immigration, the economy and healthcare.

But Housing Matters has contacted all candidates to outline its concerns and what it believes needs to be done.

‘Most candidates refer to the Island’s housing needs,’ Housing Matters chair Bill Mummery said. ‘Frequently mentioned topics are support for first-time buyers and the need for additional social housing.

‘Much attention is given to the needs of both young Manx people and essential workers moving to the Island.

‘While not dismissing either of these needs, at Housing Matters, our overriding concern is for those who have no home.

‘There is a small but persistent number of people in housing crisis. In any one month, we have approximately 40 “no fixed abode” cases on our books, while we are aware of a few having to manage sleeping rough - this remains too many.

‘Homelessness is an issue that simply should not exist in a community such as ours and one which we believe could be almost entirely resolved.’

Mr Mummery believes more help is needed for those unlikely ever to get on the property ladder.

‘Decisive action must be taken in the recognition that there will always be some people for whom home ownership is unlikely to ever be appropriate and for whom social housing remains an ever-distant dream,’ he said.

‘Solutions for those people will, at least in the short term, only ever be found in either the private sector or in dedicated, Government or charity-sponsored emergency accommodation.

‘In the lifetime of Housing Matters, we have seen four general elections. Although the faces may change, the problems and challenges don’t.’

Housing Matters has outlined a number of ways it believes homelessness could be addressed.

‘We would ask every successful candidate to commit to one simple objective,’ Mr Mummery said, ‘that within their first 12 months in office, there should be a measurable reduction in the number of people recorded as “no fixed abode” together with a clear plan to eliminate the need for long-term use of emergency accommodation.

‘This should not be another long-term strategy or consultation. What is needed now is political ownership, a clear timetable and delivery.’

The charity’s proposals include regenerating accommodation in town and city centres by reducing red tape and simplifying the planning process to allow office space to be converted into homes.

It also suggests making it easier to create rental properties, introducing financial penalties for properties left vacant for long periods, increasing housing benefit to make rents more affordable and creating a more efficient system for dealing with tenancy disputes.

Housing Matters also believes Government properties, such as the former 40-bed elderly persons’ housing complex at Reayrt ny Baie, should be used for emergency accommodation.

It is also calling for more social housing to be created and for the social housing application process to be streamlined.