More working families are now eligible to apply for public sector housing, following changes to the way properties are allocated.

The revisions to the Public Sector Housing (General Needs) Allocations Policy were agreed by Tynwald in July to update income thresholds to better reflect current earnings and housing costs.

The changes will apply to applicants across the Isle of Man, and came into affect today (Thursday, October 1).

Under the new thresholds, a joint applicant with three dependent children can earn up to £63,900 a year and remain eligible to apply for public-sector housing. This is an increase of £13,400 on the previous income limit of £50,500.

For households without dependent children, the new annual income threshold is £35,800 for a single applicant, compared with £34,500 previously. For joint applicants, the threshold rises from £38,000 to £50,200.

For applicants with one dependent child, the threshold increases from £40,000 to £43,000 for a single applicant, while the joint applicant limit rises from £43,500 to £56,700.

For two dependent children, the limits increase from £43,500 to £47,800 for single applicants and from £47,000 to £59,800 for joint applicants, while three-children thresholds will rise from £47,000 to £50,200 for single applicants and from £50,500 to £63,900 for joint applicants.

The changes will also give local authority housing providers greater flexibility in cases where an applicant does not meet the standard residency requirements.

People already on the housing waiting list will not need to reapply, with housing providers set to review active applications and make any necessary updates.

Further changes taking effect in October will also mean some public sector tenants on fixed-term tenancy arrangements could see their weekly rent reduced following reassessment.

Anyone with questions about how the changes may affect their housing application or tenancy has been advised to contact their housing provider directly.