Amendments to public sector general needs housing income thresholds

Overview

The Public Sector Housing (General Needs) (Allocation) Policy 2019 is currently undergoing a full review. Because this review is extensive, the Housing Agency (on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure) is proposing to introduce several essential changes ahead of the full update.

These early amendments focus on improving fairness, clarity, and consistency in how public sector housing is allocated. We are seeking your views on three key proposed changes:

1. Updating income eligibility thresholds and introducing automatic annual uplifts
    
2. Removing certain 'priority' points that do not reflect housing need
    
3. Introducing discretion for local housing authorities on residential requirements

Why your views matter

Your feedback plays a vital role in shaping how public sector housing is allocated. The proposed changes aim to make the system fairer, clearer, and more responsive — but it is essential that the people who use, rely on, or are affected by the policy have the opportunity to influence it.

By sharing your views, you help us to:

• Understand real‑life experiences of those navigating the housing system
   
• Identify unintended impacts that may not be visible from data alone
   
• Test whether the proposed changes feel fair and workable for households and communities
   
• Ensure the policy reflects local needs and values, not just administrative requirements
   
• Strengthen transparency and accountability in how decisions are made

Public sector housing policy affects thousands of people. Your insight helps ensure that the system is not only technically sound but also grounded in the lived realities of the community it serves.

Your views will assist the Department in finalising the draft amendments to the existing Allocations Policy ahead of being taken to Tynwald for formal approval.

Reasonable adjustments and alternative formats

The Department is committed to equal opportunities and our aim is to make our documents easy to use and accessible to all.

The Department will take steps to accommodate any reasonable adjustments and provide such assistance as may reasonably be required to enable access or reply to this consultation.

If this document is required in another format or assistance is required with accessing or replying to this consultation, please email Lisa.philliskirk@gov.im

Responding to this consultation and questions

This consultation can be responded to by clicking on the 'Online survey' link below.

Alternatively you can download a paper version of this consultation from the 'Related' section below and email it to Lisa.philliskirk@gov.im or post it to:

Lisa Philliskirk
Head of Housing
2nd Floor Markwell House,
Market St,
Douglas,
IM1 2RJ

What happens next

The feedback from this consultation will be reviewed by the Housing Agency Board and will give direction to any final changes to be made to the general needs public sector housing allocation policy. It is anticipated that the amendments will be brought to Tynwald for approval in July 2026.