Policy and Reform ministers past and present have locked horns over the speed of implementing a new programme to help the homeless in the island.

Current Policy and Reform Minister Ray Harmer came under fire from his predecessor Chris Thomas (Douglas Central) over a lack of action.

The row came as Mr Thomas asked Mr Harmer - whose ministerial responsibilities include chairing the National Housing Project Board - for an update on the government’s seeking of expressions of interest from charities to operate a new Housing First scheme to provide short-term housing options, along with a drop-in centre and emergency night shelter.

When he was told the project had not yet gone to full tender, Mr Thomas expressed frustration.

He claimed the government had not moved on in the 14 years since the need was identified.

Mr Thomas, who was policy and reform minister from 2016-20, complained: ’Back 14 years ago, short-term emergency accommodation was then provided by the Broadway Night Shelter, as it is now.

’Housing Matters provided night stop alternatives with bed and breakfast. The Women’s Refuge, the Salvation Army and the Manx Housing Trust were involved in providing medium-term accommodation with support - and then also permanent access to housing was provided in exactly the same way as it is now and the gaps were the same as they are now.’

He called on Mr Harmer to ’undertake to finally do something despite the election coming up and that the charities can be engaged to take things forward immediately, because we do have a serious problem that has been there since 2007’.

The minister agreed.

’Immediately is not soon enough and that is what we are thrusting with this work,’ he said. But he said it was important to know what services were required overall.

’We have got to remember is it is not just about a shelter, it is about a pathway to make sure that all the considerations of those people are considered and to help them into their long-term, secure housing,’ he said.

The government announced last year it wanted to commission about 30 spaces in the east of the island for short-term emergency housing, including a daytime drop-in to provide shelter and food and about 20 spaces across a range of suitable properties and locations for short to medium term emergency housing, to include a communal living space and/or kitchen area as part of a Manx Housing First Support Service.

It sought expressions of interest in proving emergency housing - daytime drop in as well as the Night Stop facility - and the Manx Housing First Support Service.

’Interested parties were initially asked to provide a response against an overarching service brief to understand the market’s ability to develop and deliver the services,’ Mr Harmer told Tynwald.

’At the closing date for responses the following interest was recorded: for emergency housing daytime drop-in and night stop facility, Housing Matters and Manx Housing Trust. For Manx Housing First Support Service governance matters, Housing Matters, Manx Housing Trust, Praxis Care, Quing and the Salvation Army.’

At that point there was no single organisation that could provide the services requested. A virtual meeting was held in March, during lockdown, and a proposed tender process is due to be submitted the Council of Ministers social policy and children’s subcommittee for confirmation.