A QUESTION mark hangs over the speed with which the Isle of Wight Council is tackling the Island’s housing crisis.

Many residents have expressed serious concerns about how, six months on from throwing its weight behind modular, re-locatable houses, there appears to have been no movement from the local authority. 

This week, Cllr Suzie Ellis, a conservative councillor, said the Island has a local business poised to produce them and questioned why the Alliance administration hadn't corresponded with them. 

She said a company in her ward, already producing modular buildings, submitted an expression of interest to the council six months ago and has heard nothing back.

The council says it is still actively working with several providers who originally expressed an interest, and a decision is expected this summer.

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In January, the council said it would look for 20 two-bed homes to provide housing for families in the most need.

This was after identifying 200 Island families in urgent need of housing and at risk of homelessness.

Read more: Isle of Wight Council give modular housing the thumbs up

Cllr Ian Stephens, cabinet member for housing, said the problem was not diminishing, and while the houses were not permanent, they were stepping stones for those in danger of homelessness.

Last month, it was revealed a huge rise in families facing homelessness meant they could be offered accommodation on the mainland.

The council told the County Press the option couldn't be eliminated in this "difficult moment" for local families.

Read more: Homeless Isle of Wight families could be given mainland homes

"There is a real opportunity here to help tackle homelessness, support the Island’s rural economy, and provide jobs for Islanders," said Cllr Ellis.

"I am disappointed that it has not been progressed to date, given the increasing urgency of this issue."

Cllr Joe Robertson agreed. He said: "Sending people to places on the mainland such as Portsmouth, where GP shortages are even worse than they are here, is not a fair or sensible solution for Islanders. 

“In February the council allocated itself £40 million of borrowing to build affordable rental homes, including modular housing.

"We have seen no evidence of any of the money having been allocated, let alone drawn down or spent.

"The council leader’s annual report last month did not refer to it at all, and the council’s own company set up to deliver much needed homes is still listed as dormant.

“The draft Island Planning Strategy, which provides for thousands of new affordable homes, has been put on hold, and the new chair of planning committee has spoken out against it. 

"I have serious concerns that the current political group running the Isle of Wight Council has no plan to actually deliver homes and reduce the homeless waiting list. 

"There is £40 million waiting to be spent and the Island needs urgent action from the Alliance to deliver new homes without further delay.”

A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council said: "The council is moving ahead with the project called Modern Methods of Construction and Relocatable Homes, which includes modular buildings.

"The council is still actively working with several providers who originally expressed an interest. 

"These discussions will lead to a final design and a provider. A decision is expected this summer."

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